By Denise Attaway
In a world increasingly shaped by environmental change, food insecurity and the need for sustainable agriculture, Clemson University and the Senegal Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA) are sowing the seeds of a transformative partnership.
This collaboration, rooted in shared ecological challenges and cultural ties, aims to foster innovation, empower farmers and strengthen food systems across continents. Farmers in the U.S. and Senegal, a country in western Africa, will benefit.
Climate and agricultural commonalities form the foundation of this partnership focused on developing practical farming technologies, enhancing crop and livestock resilience and improving food security.
During a recent ISRA-funded visit to Clemson, Aliou Faye, the head of partnerships, met with University researchers and administrators to explore joint research and capacity-building efforts. Faye, who is also ISRA’s technical and scientific advisor, toured the University’s Research and Education Centers and met with Gullah farmers.
“This partnership is not just about helping Senegal,” Faye said. “It’s about Clemson scientists working with us to solve problems that affect South Carolina farmers, too. It’s a win-win for everyonShared challenges, shared solutionse.”
Senegal and South Carolina share similarities in climate and agricultural production. Both regions grow peanuts, rice, cowpeas, leafy greens, corn, and produce poultry, among other crops. In addition, both face challenges such as soil salinity, drought and food safety concerns.
“I was impressed by the geographical and population similarities between some parts of South Carolina and the River Valley of Senegal,” Faye said. “I cannot wait to start a fruitful collaboration with Clemson, South Carolina farmers and the Gullah community.”
Jagger Harvey, director of Global Research Initiatives in Clemson’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, said the collaboration will benefit farmers in both South Carolina and Senegal.
“Senegal is a very welcoming and safe country, with strong agricultural research capacity as a leader on the African continent,” Harvey said. “It’s a place where meaningful collaboration can thrive. With such a strong partner, we’re co-creating solutions that benefit farmers on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Building capacity and community
The partnership reflects Clemson’s land-grant mission: advancing science through collaboration, education and community engagement. Plans include faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects and shared training programs.
One of the first steps in this partnership will be an ISRA-funded visit from Mame Penda Sarr, a plant pathologist, to Clemson’s Coastal Research and Education Center in Charleston, South Carolina. Sarr will team up with center director Pat Wechter and Clemson scientist Sandra Branham to work on vegetable diseases, many of which threaten crop production in both locations.
In addition, Branham teaches an online bioinformatics class that Senegalese students and researchers will take to help them improve crops faster and combat diseases affecting crops and livestock in Senegal.
Source : clemson.edu