2025 Activity Report vol.17:Kochi University

The Faculty of Agriculture and Marine Science at Kochi University promotes research and education in greenhouse horticulture and smart agriculture using advanced technologies, and is actively engaged in initiatives related to the Internet of Plants (IoP) as a next-generation data-driven agricultural system. In this program, students with strong interests in agriculture and ICT from India and Vietnam were invited to Kochi to experience practical examples of advanced greenhouse horticulture and smart agriculture implemented in the region.

On the first day of the program, an orientation session was held, and ice-breaking activities helped promote interaction among the participating students. This was followed by research presentations in the fields of agriculture and food science, including studies using Goishicha, a traditional tea product of Kochi Prefecture, as well as research in plant pathology and plant nutrition. In addition, a courtesy visit to the President of Kochi University provided an opportunity for the participants to reconsider regional challenges faced by Kochi and agricultural issues in their own countries. During the exchange meeting, participants interacted with international students on campus and engaged in active discussions from diverse international perspectives.

Lectures and practical training on IoP focused on environmental control technologies in greenhouse horticulture and production support systems utilizing a cloud platform managed and operated by Kochi Prefecture. In the practical sessions, participants gained hands-on experience using a small computer, the Raspberry Pi, to control LEDs, program in Python, and collect image data.

During the facility visits, participants visited the IoP Collaborative Creation Center at Kochi University, Kochi Agricultural Research Center, and Aitosa Co., Ltd.. They learned about demonstration research on next-generation greenhouse horticulture and practical examples of ICT-based production management. By directly observing initiatives undertaken by the university, research institutions, and industry, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and strengths of greenhouse horticulture technologies in Kochi Prefecture.

As part of the cultural program, participants visited Kochi Castle, Hirome Market, and Makino Botanical Garden, deepening their understanding of Kochi's history, culture, and natural environment. At Makino Botanical Garden, they also toured the herbarium, where they learned about plant research activities in Japan.

On the final day, a lecture on digital transformation (DX) in the fisheries sector was conducted, through which participants learned how digital technologies are being applied in fisheries and marine fields in Japan. This was followed by a campus tour of the Marine Core Research Institute, where participants deepened their understanding of advanced marine research initiatives at Kochi University. Through these activities, the participants gained opportunities to learn a wide range of science and technology fields, extending beyond agriculture to include fisheries and marine sciences.

In the afternoon, a final presentation session was held, during which the participants presented how the IoP technologies and smart agriculture knowledge they had acquired through the program could be applied to agricultural challenges in their own countries. Through this program, the participants deepened their understanding of Japan's advanced agricultural technologies and gained valuable opportunities to broaden their international perspectives.

Building on this exchange, Kochi University aims to further develop international collaboration, including the acceptance of international students and the promotion of international joint research. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the JST Sakura Science Program, the Kochi Agricultural Research Center, Aitosa Co., Ltd., Makino Botanical Garden, and all faculty and staff members of Kochi University for their generous support in implementing this program.