IRCAEB’s initiative in Agricultural Education: Students Gain Hands-On Experience in Aso
On July 6th, 2024, 21 third-year students from Kumamoto University participated in a unique practical training session at the Aso Practice Field, thanks to a collaborative agreement between the International Research Center for Agricultural & Environmental Biology (IRCAEB) at Kumamoto University and the Research Institute of Agriculture at Tokai University.The morning began with an insightful briefing on grape cultivation, followed by hands-on management activities. Students meticulously bagged grape clusters and conducted thinning operations, contrasting with less-intensive overseas cultivation methods. This meticulous approach not only enhances disease resistance but also results in visually stunning grape clusters. Further flower and fruit thinning is expected to reduce the number of grape per cluster, resulting in larger grapes with higher sugar content. This meticulous process is integral to enhancing grape quality and ensuring a fruitful harvest.
Later in the day, students participated in the management of paddy fields where weeds have proliferated due to organic farming practices. Wading barefoot into the fields, students eagerly uprooted weeds by hand, stirring the flooded paddies. This hands-on experience provided a rare and valuable opportunity for Kumamoto University students, enriching their educational journey and leaving them captivated and inspired by their studies in agricultural science.
Kumamoto University expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed faculty from Tokai University for facilitating this enriching experience.
Grape Thinning
Grape Bagging
Receiving Instructions on Weeding in the Paddy Field
Weeding Operation