Experiences of Asia Pacific Director Meeting (APDM) , Japan

IAAS (International Association of  Students in Agricultural and related science) the global platform for the students from agriculture and related science field worldwide. Every year the main event of IAAS World Congress, Directors Meeting, Ex-co meeting and many more projects launched worldwide.

The journey of APDM starts on 19^th September with welcome party in Niigata University by bridge team of IAAS Japan during which we introduced each-other with traditional Japanese food prepared by friend of IAAS Japan.

The second day on September 20 with the schedule of sight-seeing to various agriculture places around the Niigata. First we visited Experiment of Agriculture Revitalization where we observed various modern technique of growing crops like apple, pear, soybean, rice and the smart technology on rice known as paddy field sensor which make farmers to check water temperature, water level and humidity on smartphone. The modern technique used in this farm were really interesting and felt glad to know about the technology used.

On the same day we reached to Shirone Grape Garden where we found 13 different varieties of grapes experiencing the harvesting technique of grape with farm worker. Different fruit like Kiwi, Japanese pear, blue berry, strawberry were also the attraction of the farm. After the field excursion to different farm we returned back to the Niigata University and attained the Development Fund Night for collection of fund through sharing of different traditional products from each countries.

On September 21 and 22 we had General assembly in Niigata university discussion on the activities of IAAS world and IAAS Asia Pacific region along with the strategic plan to make IAAS Asia Pacific region strong through it activities. During the general assembly we had Work-shop on the theme is “Product planning of rice processed goods” where each country present on the basis of their countries and I got chance to present from IAAS Nepal. The presentation by local food company from Japan producing product from rice was appreciable.

The fifth day on September 23 was the field trip to various agriculture sites around the Niigata prefecture. The first visit on this day was on Agri-park Food Processing Support Centre where we observed the processing center where the concept of Sixth Industrialization was interesting. This food processing center support farmers who want to create processed foods with their own agricultural products through training. In the processing center we practiced the cooking of Pizza. On the same day we visited Senami Tropical Fruit Farm where the bio-degradable wastage were managed and processed to use as fertilizer for the fruits. Passion fruit, different citrus fruit, fig, mango, dragon fruit, strawberry.

September 24, sixth day of the APDM start with the field trip to Teradomari Aquarium where we observed different aquatic animals. The jelly fish, Torpedo fish (which generate electricity from its body), penguin (aquatic bird) with surrounding view of ocean. After that we visited Seafood market experiencing the taste of various sea food. On the same day we visited Yahiko- Shrine temple one of the famous Japanese Monastery in between the peaceful environment.

September 25 , the last day of APDM 2017 in Japan we visited various places around Tokyo. First we visited Tokyo Sky Tree which is the world tallest tower with the height 634m from where we can see the beautiful view around the Tokyo city. Then after we visited Asakusa Temple which the famous historical place of Buddhism and japan where people from Japan found in Kimino (traditional dress of japan). After the visit around Tokyo we joined farewell dinner with friends and waved hand from Tokyo station.

Development fund from IAAS World is the only thing which make all this experiences possible for me as a student from developing country to attend this event. APDM 2017 provide me the excellent platform to know on the modern technique of agriculture in japan and sharing the agricultural status with the friend around the Asia pacific region.

I am thankful to Krishna Bhandari uncle , Gita Bhandari auntie, Sarasawati and Guru Acharya uncle aunt, Asmita Acharya sister for the wonderful time in Yokoahama Japan with memorable moments visiting the beautiful places around Tokyo. 

 Saraswati Acharya auntie and Asmita Acharya sister

With Krishna Bhandari uncle, Gita auntie and family