Japan 2019

The 8th meeting of G20 Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS-G20) was held in Tokyo, Japan on 25th and 26th April 2019, chaired by Japan as G20 President. Among the 91 participants were delegates from G20 members, guest countries and international organizations. The discussions focused mainly on three topics: transboundary plant pests, social experiment-like approaches to facilitating on-site adoption of climate-smart technologies, and stocktaking of initiatives emanating from past MACS-G20.

Prior to the meeting, a field trip to Miyagi Prefecture was organized. The participants visited the sites of a project to revitalize agriculture in the areas affected by the tsunami following the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake in March 2011 through introducing new technologies in protected horticulture and direct seeding in rice cultivation. Demonstration of robot tractors was also held at one of the sites.