On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, a delegation from the Zayed Charitable & Humanitarian Foundation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), led by Deputy Director General H.E. Mohanna Al Muhairi, visited the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS). They held discussions with President KOYAMA Osamu and other officials on potential collaboration in the field of sustainable agriculture in Africa.

Following an overview of JIRCAS’s mission and activities, the delegation was introduced to key outcomes from the SATREPS project in Madagascar, titled “Breakthrough in Nutrient Use Efficiency for Rice by Genetic Improvement and Fertility Sensing Techniques in Africa.” Highlights included the P-dipping technique for enhancing phosphorus application efficiency and the successful social implementation of new rice varieties suited to nutrient-poor soils.

The delegation also learned about research achievements in Burkina Faso, such as the development of organic fertilizer production technology using low-grade phosphate rock. Additionally, the TERRA Africa project—part of the Nippon Foundation’s international cooperation initiative—was presented, focusing on regionally adapted, environmentally regenerative agricultural technologies in Africa.

The Zayed Foundation has traditionally focused on humanitarian and charitable activities in education and medical field. In recent years, however, it has expanded its scope to include support for agriculture. This visit aimed to explore partnerships with research institutions specializing in agriculture and sustainability, with the goal of contributing to food security and environmental restoration in Africa.

During the meeting, both parties exchanged views on strengthening collaboration in areas such as sustainable crop production, soil fertility improvement, joint research, technology transfer, and applied research. The dialogue underscored the potential for future partnerships to advance shared goals in African agricultural development.