On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 29 second-year students from Tochigi Prefectural Sano High School visited the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) as part of their “Tsukuba Science Tour.”

Sano High School offers a curriculum that supports a wide range of career paths in both the humanities and sciences. This visit was conducted as a fieldwork activity for students specializing in biology, aiming to stimulate their interest in science and deepen their career awareness by exposing them to cutting-edge scientific research.

The visit began with an overview of JIRCAS’s research activities and international collaborations, highlighting how JIRCAS contributes to society through partnerships with institutions around the world. Students also learned about global challenges such as food security and environmental issues in developing countries, and engaged in discussions on how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relate to these real-world problems.

Next, Senior Researcher ISEKI Kohtaro (Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division) delivered a lecture titled “Crop Science that Could Transform Food Production in Africa.” He spoke on the significance of agricultural research in the savannah regions of West Africa, where issues such as population growth, malnutrition, and climate change are particularly acute. Drawing from firsthand experiences, Dr. Iseki illustrated the role and potential of international joint research and offered insights into local farming practices and daily life in the region.

Students were encouraged to think like researchers and consider agriculture in West Africa from a global perspective. They gained an appreciation for the critical role of science in addressing global challenges. Comments from students included:

“I learned in concrete terms about the lives of people in different environments and the agricultural issues they face.”
“I found working overseas very appealing.”
“Understanding how the SDGs are implemented in the field made them feel much more relevant to me.”

The lecture provided a valuable opportunity for students to reflect on the societal significance of science and the importance of international collaboration. It also prompted them to consider their own futures and career goals.

A mini-lecture video by Dr. Iseki, titled “The Environment and Agriculture of the West African Savannah: Toward the Future of Africa’s Largest Agricultural Region,” is available on the JIRCAS YouTube channel.

Mini Lecture: "The Environment and Agriculture of the West African Savannah"
(Click to watch on the JIRCAS Channel)