Date: February 2025

Location: Japan (JICA Tsukuba, JICA Tokyo, Hiroshima Prefecture)

Duration: January 14 – February 7, 2025

     Dr. Malik Al-Ajlouni, Associate Professor at the School of Agriculture, University of Jordan, recently participated in an intensive, multi-location training program in Japan titled “Human Resource Development on Private-Public-Academia for Agricultural and Rural DX / Smart Food Chain Co-creation". The program was organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and brought together participants from various countries to exchange knowledge and explore Japan's leading practices in agricultural innovation and rural development.

     Over the course of four weeks, the training combined theoretical lectures, site visits, and practical workshops in Tsukuba, Tokyo, and Hiroshima. The program focused on digital transformation (DX) in agriculture, the application of smart technologies in food production, and the development of effective collaboration frameworks between government, academia, and the private sector.

Key Program Components:

• Lectures by Experts from MAFF and JICA: Sessions focused on Japan's national digital transformation strategy, policy development, funding mechanisms, and successful case studies of smart agriculture implementation.
• Visits to Smart Farms: Participants toured high-tech agricultural operations, including smart greenhouses, rice farms using precision satellite technology, and fruit farms employing IoT and data-driven practices.
• Technology Demonstrations: Hands-on exposure to AR (augmented reality) tools for agriculture, AI-based monitoring systems, and drone-assisted field data collection and analysis.
  
• Research and Development Centers: Site visits included Japan's public agricultural research institutes and private technology firms developing next-generation farming tools.
• Workshops and Action Planning: Collaborative sessions where participants analyzed real-world challenges and developed context-specific strategies to implement smart agriculture solutions in their home countries.

     The training emphasized Japan's integrated model of digital agriculture that connects policymakers, researchers, extension services, and farmers. One of the most distinctive aspects of the experience was the opportunity to observe the successful integration of digital systems in cooperative structures like Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA), which support small-scale farmers with technology access, marketing tools, and financial services.

     This program contributes to JICA's broader mission of co-creating sustainable agricultural ecosystems through innovation and international cooperation. The training served as a vital platform for the exchange of expertise and is expected to inspire institutional development and research collaboration in participating countries. For the University of Jordan, the experience underscores the importance of advancing agricultural education and promoting digital literacy among students and professionals alike. With Jordan's growing interest in smart agriculture, this training marks a significant step toward aligning local practices with international standards.