Activity Report of Open Application Program 2024 vol.6 (Course A)
Invitation from Tajikistan for Sakura Science Program
Report from Arid Land Research Center of Tottori University
From October 5 to 12, the Arid Land Research Center of Tottori University accepted eight researchers and students from the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan. Six young researchers and two graduate students from the Institute of Botany, Plant Physiology and Genetics under the Academy learned about efforts by the people in Tottori in research, development and social implementation, especially focusing on sweet potatoes.
On the 6th October, the participants observed Shirowara Beach and the Tottori Sand Dunes, which UNESCO registered as the San'in Global Geopark.
On the 7th they visited the Arid Land Research Center of Tottori University. Before the participants made a presentation on their own research topics, Tajik Ambassador in Japan, Farhod Salim by online delivered the welcome message to the young participants. The Tajik researchers were able to have a valuable exchange of experiences with the faculty members of the Arid Land Research Center for the introduction of sweet potatoes in their own country.
On the 8th they visited a dried sweet potato manufacturing company, "Hoshiimo no Sato", in Tottori city, and learned about sweet potato processing efforts. In the afternoon they attended the lecture on International Cooperation, and exchanged ideas with Japanese graduate students of Tottori University, on the national mentality, strong points, and weak points of both countries. Then the participants visited the laboratory of Prof. Ishihara, the Faculty of Agriculture in Tottori University.
On the 9th, they visited the Tottori Prefectural Horticultural Experiment Station in Sakaiminato and studied pest control in sweet potato cultivation. Furthermore, they observed the field, where NPO of supporting handicapped persons cultivate vegetables by symbiosis farming method. M.D. Kirimura explained the importance of planetary boundary and emphasizes the symbiosis farming methods that may help improve the intestinal flora.
On the 10th, Tajik researchers made a final presentation by 3 groups on what they learned in Tottori and future action plans after returning to Tajikistan. They also analyzed the plans from the viewpoint of 3 aspects, namely research, education and management, comparing the situation in Japan.
Before leaving for Tajikistan, they had a chance to visit the shop which sells baked sweet potatoes in Kamakura city on the 11th. They also went on trip to the Great Buddha in Kamakura on 12th. They were very happy to feel the Japanese culture.
In Tajikistan, cultivated land is decreasing due to drought caused by recent climate change. Therefore, environmentally regenerative agriculture, which aims to restore the natural environment while restoring and improving the soil, through introducing and extending sweet potatoes, which can grow even in poor soils, has become important. Sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients and are expected to contribute to the health of the people of Tajikistan.
During their stay in Tottori, Tajik researchers and students were impressed by the hospitality of the people in Tottori and the virtues of the Japanese people, such as punctuality, and returned home with hopes of coming back to Tottori again for study or research.
The Arid Land Research Center continues to host researchers and students from Central Asian countries to help improve the lives of the people there and the local economy.
[Contact information]
jiroiida<at>tottori-u.ac.jp please replace <at> with @.