On Friday, June 12, 2026, Project Leader NAKAMURA Satoshi and Senior Researcher Papa Saliou Sarr (both from the Crop, Livestock and Environment Division) paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Mr. Jean Antoine Diouf, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Senegal to Japan, at the Embassy of Senegal in Tokyo. During the visit, they introduced a new research collaboration between JIRCAS and the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA: Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles), and exchanged views on the outline of joint research activities and future prospects.

JIRCAS and ISRA have held a series of discussions to establish a research cooperation framework and have officially launched their collaboration in 2026. To mark this important milestone, both institutions are currently working toward signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is expected to be concluded soon. The MoU includes joint research plans covering areas such as sustainable soil management, improvement of crop productivity, evaluation and utilization of ecosystem services, and research contributing to sustainable agricultural development and climate change adaptation.

During the meeting, Dr. Nakamura and Dr. Sarr explained the objectives and activities of the collaboration and expressed their expectations that scientific and technological cooperation between the two institutions would contribute to the advancement of agricultural research and innovation in Senegal.

Ambassador Diouf welcomed the official launch of the research collaboration between JIRCAS and ISRA and expressed his appreciation for the courtesy visit. He also conveyed his expectation that this collaboration will further strengthen science and technology cooperation between Senegal and Japan.

Furthermore, the Ambassador stated that the Embassy would provide full support to ensure the smooth implementation of the collaboration. He emphasized his intention to act as a bridge between JIRCAS, ISRA, and the Government of Senegal—particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock—so that the collaboration will be widely recognized within the Senegalese government and further promoted within the framework of bilateral cooperation between Japan and Senegal.

In addition, Ambassador Diouf encouraged JIRCAS and ISRA to actively explore further opportunities for academic exchange and research cooperation, including with research institutions and universities, in order to strengthen the long-standing friendly relations between Senegal and Japan. He expressed the view that expanding collaboration among research institutions, universities, and government agencies would contribute to advancing sustainable agricultural development and strengthening science and technology cooperation between the two countries.

This courtesy visit marked an important step for JIRCAS, ISRA, and the Embassy of Senegal in Japan to share their commitment to promoting agricultural research through international collaboration and to further deepen science and technology cooperation between Senegal and Japan.