Meeting with the Delegation of Japan’s National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) and Hirosaki University

The parties discussed joint research, technology exchange and the training of young specialists.

One of the key areas of cooperation is the study and conservation of plant genetic resources. Japanese scientists are conducting expeditions in the North Kazakhstan and Akmola regions, collecting samples of local crops and wild-growing plants. Onions and garlic, cucurbit crops, and brassica crops are of particular interest. In the future, the collected materials are planned to be preserved in a genetic bank being established in Kazakhstan and used for plant breeding.

According to Professor Katsunori Tanaka of Hirosaki University, Japanese scientists are particularly interested in the region's local and wild-growing plants.

“For Japan, where land resources are limited, the search for new genetic resources is important. We collect local and wild-growing plants that can later be studied, crossbred and used to develop new varieties,” said Katsunori Tanaka.

The cooperation includes academic exchanges, internships, the participation of Japanese scientists in student training, and joint work on international grants.

“Our goal is to move from individual visits and expeditions to a systematic partnership. We are interested in ensuring that our students and researchers have opportunities to work at research centers in Japan, while Japanese specialists can conduct research and teach our students here in North Kazakhstan,” emphasized Yerbol Issakayev, Chairman of the Executive Board – Rector of Kozybayev University.