Anchored on the goal of facilitating and harmonizing the collaboration between the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) and Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), a Memorandum of Undertaking (MOU) was executed during the Signing Ceremony on 09 August 2024 at the BSWM Lopez Convention Hall, Diliman, Quezon City.

This historical event was graced by the presence of DA Assistant Secretary for Administration Atty. Allen Kristopher A. Anarna representing the Honorable DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., and Embassy of Japan in the Philippines First Secretary Akasaka, Hidenori.

Prior to the monumental forging of partnership, BSWM Director Gina P. Nilo, Ph.D. and JIRCAS President Koyama, Osamu delivered their Messages for this significant undertaking. In her Message, Director Nilo emphasized her gratitude and high hopes for the strong and lasting partnership of the Philippines and Japan. “Through today’s Ceremonial MOU Signing, we will forge another collaboration between Philippines and Japan not only for technology development but for science and technology (S&T) personnel development, infrastructure development, and soil and water database build up. I am particularly grateful to be present today and sincerely hope for a strong and lasting partnership between the two countries and will continue to expand in the future,” Director Nilo said. 

On the other hand, Mr. Koyama, Osamu underscored in his Message that the joint research of the BSWM and the JIRCAS aims to apply the research results gathered from the previous years, to the other agricultural lands of the Philippines. “It is my sincere hope that the efforts through our collaborative research projects will bring greater impacts to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries or tropical island countries, and achieve sustainable food system and carbon neutrality in the region,” said Mr. Koyama. 

In order to provide further background on the matter, JIRCAS Program Director Hayashi, Keiichi discussed the Overview of Collaboration. Immediately after, and as the highlight of this historical event, the Principals of each party signed the Memorandum of Understanding and the Workplan. These collaboration projects between the DA-BSWM and the JIRCAS are under the program: Development of Agricultural Technologies for Climate Change, Resource Recycling, and Environmental Conservation.

After the official forging of partnership, Closing Messages were delivered by Mr. Hayashi and BSWM Assistant Director Denise A. Solano. According to Mr. Hayashi, “This is just the beginning of our collaboration and we look forward to seeing the progress of the projects and hear critics and encouragement from all participants today in coming years.” He also specified that the global issues that overwhelm us can be solved by the efforts of each country, as well as the cooperation of each. Assistant Director Solano, on the other hand, extended her gratitude to everyone involved in the Ceremony, highlighting the commitment each one has manifested towards this endeavor. “As we move forward, let us continue to seek future directions for agricultural technology cooperation, further strengthening the partnership between our two countries,” she added in closing.

Also present in this historic partnership are JIRCAS Project Leader Anzai Toshihiko, JIRCAS Public Relations Officer Keisuke Omoro, Sugar Regulatory Administration Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, Philippine Coconut Authority Data Scientist Mr. Elmer Robles, Representatives from the DA – Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division, and the BSWM Division Chiefs, Center Chiefs, Sections Chiefs and staff.

(Ara Alcoriza, Info)

#BagongPilipinas #ParaSaMasaganangBagongPilipinas #DABSWM #BSWM #SoilAndWaterForAgriculture #JIRCAS #PartnershipParaSaMasaganangBagongPilipinas