Experiences of KCCP Participants

Mr. Samson Ojok, a rice breeder from the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCCRI) completed the JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP) in “Development of Core Agricultural Researcher for Promotion of Rice Production in Sub-Saharan Africa”.

He shared his experiences excitedly in the one-and-a-half month training in Japan.

I am Samson Ojok. My duty is contributing to develop new varieties of rice in Uganda as a rice breeder.

I participated JICA KCCP at JICA Chubu from 7 June to 11 August 2023. This program aims to acquire basic but broad knowledge including rice plant, rice cultivation, and research technologies, which are prerequisite knowledge for core agricultural researchers.

I joined this KCCP to step up my career as a scientist in Uganda. I’m happy to have gained knowledge and skills to cover various fields of rice development through not only fruitful lectures facilitated Japanese professors but also visits to the prefectural agricultural research institute, Kagoshima University. I interacted with fellow scientists from other African countries such as Senegal, Zambia, DRC, Madagascar, and Ethiopia with whom I created new human network.

My impressive subjects during the training were rice protection, soil and water management for rice growth, molecular breeding, rice physiology and data collection/analysis. The field of rice protection includes pathology and entomology. It has a strong linkage with my current duty in NaCRRI, molecular breeding.

I will utilize the knowledge and experiences gained in Japan and enhance perennial rice breeding through ratooning in Uganda and I would like to make it part of my PhD research and the evaluation of rice variety in my work.

In Kagoshima University, I met and interacted with several students from different countries such as Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Kenya, South Sudan and Japan. Discussions and research with them were precious learning experiences because I could learn from not only Japanese researchers but also the activities of other participants while they also learnt from me.

During the stay in Japan, I also enjoyed Japanese culture so much. I got a close view of “Sakurajima” in Kagoshima prefecture, one of the most famous volcanos in Japan and enjoyed a footbath at a hot spring near “Sakurajima” with my friends. I also ate Sushi! Raw fish is not familiar in Uganda, but I liked Sushi so much.

I will continue to contribute to rice development in Uganda by using these experiences in Japan from now on!