- Project Leader：Asada Haruhisa (Nara Women’s University, Faculty of Letters)
- Collaborators：Yanagisawa Masayuki (Kyoto University, Center for Integrated Area Studies)
- Matsuda Masahiko (Ritsumeikan University, College of International Relations)
- Kobayasi Satoru (Kyoto University, Center for Southeast Asian Studies)
- Nathan Badenoch (Kyoto University, Center for Southeast Asian Studies)
- Kosaka Yasuyuki (Kyoto University, Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies)
- Akamatsu Yoshio (Kyoto University, Center for Southeast Asian Studies)
- Uchida Haruo (Kyoto University, Center for Southeast Asian Studies)
- Ando Kazuo (Kyoto University, Center for Southeast Asian Studies)
- Guy Francois Trebuil (CIRAD, Innovation Mixed Research Unit)
Outline of Research
The research compares the changes in agricultural technology in rice growing regions in mainland Southeast Asia after the diffusion of modern “Green Revolution” technology. We will study how regional characteristics influence technological development. Having examined country case studies, we will edit and publish a book on the topic in English. We will also publish a book by Dr. Guy Trebuil, who will be invited to stay at CSEAS from October 2017 to March 2018.
Description
In rice growing countries of mainland Southeast Asia, food selfsufficiency has been almost accomplished, and the importance of technological development in agriculture and rural development is declining in terms of national policy. The governments do not extend modern technologies as vigorously as they did before; nowadays farmers can select agricultural technologies on their own. This means that recent technological development varies significantly from one country to another, which results in an increase in the regional diversity of agricultural technology. Globally, the orientation of the development of agricultural technology is shifting from productivity to sustainability, stability, safety, and low input organic. Our research aims to compare the recent trends in technological changes and examines the significance of regional characteristics to agricultural technological development.
Recent trends of technological changes in mainland Southeast Asia have not been well studied. In this project, researchers in Area Studies, in collaboration with local people, consider the contemporary significance of technological changes and seek a future model for agriculture. The results of the research can bring a new vision of development based on “regionality” and farmers’ initiative.
 ploughing paddy fields by bullocks in Assam |
 groundwater irrigation for dry season rice in Assam |