Fifth Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting for SATREPS MNGD project at Jinka University

On September 30th, the 5th JCC of the SATREPS MNGD project was held at Jinka University.
From the Japanese side, there were a total of twelve researchers from Kyoto University, Ehime University, and Miyazaki University, including Professor Emeritus Kimura of Kyoto University, who is the research representative, and from the Ethiopian side, there were eleven participants from Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) and Jinka University, including President Dr. Kusse Gudishe of Jinka University and Ethiopian Roads Administration, Road Research Center.

Expansive soil covers more than 10% of Ethiopia's 1.1million km2 of total land area. This soil, which is prone to shrinking or swelling due to changes in water volume, causes roads to crack and lift. This damages existing roads and, in some cases, leaves communities isolated as their entrance to main roads is cut off, leaving them without access to social services and trade routes.

The MNGD project is a five-year research project by Kyoto University and the AASTU to develop a cellulose-based product, which can be added to the soil to stabilize the sub-base of roads. In Japan, a cellulose-based powder called celldoron has proven effective when added to concrete mix for making roads. In Ethiopia, researchers will be studying ensete (false banana leaves) and other plants in South Omo Zone to see if their cellulose can be used as a soil-stabilizing additive.

This project started in 2019, and there were times during the project when Japanese researchers were unable to travel due to the effects of COVID-19. Due to the nature of research involving soil, it was difficult to carry out experiments in Japan, and there were long period of slow progress.

At this JCC, it was confirmed that the project implementation period would be extended by one year, and it was confirmed that research results would be accumulated over the remaining one and a half years. Also, past achievements and research findings were presented and future plans were confirmed for each item.

It has been confirmed that a pilot project on the ground will proceed with the cooperation of the community.

※MNGD：Making Networks for Glocal Development