NEWS

2023.10.12

【Report】The 2nd AJI International Workshop on "Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in the Era of Climate Change: Asian Perspectives"

On Wednesday, August 16th, 2023, the 2nd AJI International Workshop on "Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in the Era of Climate Change: Asian Perspectives" took place at Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as well as online. The workshop was jointly organized by Ritsumeikan University, Japan, and Nong Lam University, Vietnam. This series of workshops is a significant event under the International Collaborative Research Program between the Asia-Japan Research Institute (AJI), Ritsumeikan University and the Faculty of Economics, Nong Lam University. Its aim is to provide a platform for international collaboration and the sharing of scientific achievements among researchers with a strong interest in sustainable agriculture and rural development, particularly in Southeast Asia, which has been experiencing extreme weather events and food insecurity due to climate change. In addition to scientists, the event was open to the general public, including farmers, agricultural officers, students, and anyone else with an interest in this important topic. Here is a link to the event poster: (https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/file.jsp?id=580962&version=English). The opening remarks were delivered by Associate Professor Nguyen Tat Toan, Vice President of Nong Lam University, Vietnam. He welcomed fifteen young researchers from Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia, as well as all the participants. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the existing international collaboration between the two universities and developing collaborative research with other universities and institutions in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. The workshop also welcomed Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, Director of the International Relations Office; Professor Nguyen Kim Loi, Head of the Research Center for Climate Change; Associate Professor Do Tien Duy, Deputy Head of the Scientific Research Management Office; Dr. Le Cong Tru, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, and other faculty members.

Associate Professor Nguyen Tat Toan delivering his welcome speech

The workshop was held at Nong Lam University – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
During the first session, titled "Rural Strategies for Mitigating Climate Change", four researchers from Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia presented their findings. Dr. Hoang Ha Anh, a Lecturer from Nong Lam University, Vietnam, provided an overview of the joint research project between Ritsumeikan University, Japan and Nong Lam University, Vietnam. He reported on a part of the scientific results regarding "Farmers' Intention to Sustainable Rice Farming in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior".

Dr. Hoang Ha Anh delivering his presentation
Dr. Orawan Srisompun, Assistant Professor at Mahasarakham University, Thailand, presented her research on "Examining Poverty and Vulnerability among Farmer Households in Northeastern Thailand: Analyzing the Interplay of Drought and the COVID-19 Pandemic."

Dr. Orawan Srisompun making her presentation
Mr. Mai Dinh Quy, a Lecturer from Nong Lam University – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, discussed his research on "Pig Farmers' Preferences for the Adoption of Good Animal Husbandry Practices in Vietnam: A Choice Experiment."

Dr. Mai Dinh Quy delivering his presentation
Dr. Mohammad Rondhi, Associate Professor from the University of Jember, Indonesia, delivered a presentation on "Farmers' Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies in Response to Climate Change: A Case Study of Shallot Farmers in Indonesia."

Dr. Mohammad Rondhi presenting his research
In the second session, titled "Sustainable Rice Farming: Social and Economic Approaches," three young scholars discussed sustainable agriculture in rice farming and its social and economic perspectives in Vietnam and Cambodia. Dr. Ho Trong Phuc, a Lecturer from the University of Economics, Hue University, Vietnam, provided an insightful overview on "Measuring Cost Efficiency and its Determinants in Rice Farming in the Mekong River Delta."

Dr. Ho Trong Phuc making his presentation
Dr. Hay Chanthol, a lecturer from the National University of Battambang in Cambodia, provided an overview of "Agriculture and Poverty Reduction in Cambodia: The Role of Rice Yield."

Dr. Hay Chanthol talking about his research
Dr. Ho Thanh Tam, a senior researcher from the Asia-Japan Research Institute, and three undergraduate students from Ritsumeikan University presented a part of the joint research project between the two universities. They discussed the "Benefits of Sustainable Rice Farming and Influential Factors on Rice Farmers' Choice: A Case Study in Long An Province, Vietnam."

Dr. Ho Thanh Tam and undergraduate students presenting their research
In the final session "Technological Innovations and Soil Management for Sustainable Agriculture", three scientists discussed technical and environmental aspects related to promoting sustainable agriculture. Dr. Tran Thi Huong Sen, a Lecturer from Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, Vietnam, presented her research on "Ca2+-Sensitive and Non-selective Na+/K+ Channel Activity of a Barley Aquaporin HvPIP2;8 under Saline Condition".

Dr. Tran Thi Huong Sen making her presentation
Dr. Tran Loc Thuy, Deputy Head of the Agronomy Department at the Cuu Long Delta Rice Research Institute, Vietnam, presented research on "The Effect of High Temperature on Vietnamese Rice Cultivars and Rice Cultivation Strategy to Cope with High Temperature."

Dr. Tran Loc Thuy making his presentation
The last presentation was given by Dr. Tran Quoc Thinh, Assistant Professor from the College of Life Science, and his graduate student, Mr. Toyama Onishi, from Ritsumeikan University. They provided an overview of "Using SOFIX Analysis for Soil Fertility Evaluation in Japan."

Dr. Tran Quoc Thinh making his presentation
During the discussion session, all the speakers shared their insightful comments and engaged in fruitful discussions about sustainable agriculture and future collaboration. Dr. Ho Thanh Tam, the coordinator of this International Collaboration Research Project and a workshop moderator, shared her views on Asian cases concerning sustainable rice farming and the expansion of collaboration with potential young researchers from Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Finally, Prof. Koji Shimada, from the College of Economics at Ritsumeikan University and the Principal Investigator of this International Collaboration Project, discussed potential opportunities and challenging issues for the future development of collaboration. He expressed his appreciation to all participants and invited speakers for their insightful discussions. He also emphasized the importance of fostering meaningful networks between Ritsumeikan University and overseas universities, particularly in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia, and further promoting international collaboration.

Professor Koji Shimada chairing the discussion session and delivering the closing remarks

All participants at the workshop