December 19, 2025
SynecO, Inc.
SynecO and JICA Conclude Memorandum of Understanding for Operational Collaboration and Cooperation
SynecO, Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), establishing operational collaboration and cooperation to restore and augment ecosystems and to promote sustainable food production in developing countries. This MoU was co-signed by Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. and Synecoculture Association.
SynecO is advancing the global social implementation of a new sustainable farming method called Synecoculture, based on the concept of Augmented Ecosystems, which seeks to balance between human activities and rich natural environment.
Since 2024, JICA and SynecO have been jointly exploring the introduction of Synecoculture to achieve both enhanced agricultural productivity and ecosystem conservation. In 2025, demonstration activities were launched in Senegal and Cameroon, aiming to improve agricultural productivity, restore and augment biodiversity, and prevent forest and land degradation.
In August 2025, SynecO co-hosted JICA’s side event ’Transforming Society toward Nature positive and Land Degradation Neutrality through an Ecosystem Augmentation Approach’ at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9.) The event featured presentations and discussions on realizing a Nature Positive society through sustainable agriculture, such as Synecoculture, and the potential to foster resilient and sustainable farming in Africa.
Building on these initiatives, the signing of this MoU represents a significant step toward addressing the mid to long-term challenge faced by developing countries in reconciling agricultural development with environmental conservation.
Looking ahead, under the framework of this MoU, SynecO will continue to contribute to ecosystem restoration and augmentation through Synecoculture, while advancing the realization of sustainable food production in developing countries.
Comment from Teruyuki Ito, Director General, Global Environment Department, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
We are deeply honored to have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration and partnership with SynecO Inc., Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc., and the Synecoculture Association.
This partnership embodies the principle of “co-creation” with various actors, including private companies, which is emphasized in Japan’s Development Cooperation Charter—the government’s basic policy for international development cooperation—revised in June 2023. By combining the innovative expertise of the three organizations in sustainable agriculture and ecosystem development with JICA’s long-standing local networks, we aim to deliver tangible results on the ground to address the challenges faced by developing countries.
JICA is committed to steadily advancing this initiative with a medium- to long-term perspective, thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.
Comment from Dr. Masatoshi Funabashi, President and Representative Director of SynecO, Inc.
We are greatly encouraged to have established our operational collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency. This partnership marks a significant step toward realizing our vision of sustainable agriculture and ecosystems through Synecoculture, across diverse environments, such as global arid regions and tropical forests.
Synecoculture has already demonstrated its effectiveness in enriching ecosystems in various locations. However, broader implementation requires long-term execution capacity, systems that sustainably connect nature and society, and strong governance across organizations. In this context, we believe JICA’s leadership—supported by its advanced and transparent governance—will be invaluable.
Through this initiative, we will advance co-creation with diverse global partners to contribute to the realization of sustainable societies across borders and achieve our objectives.
Senegal: Introducing Synecoculture in regions facing soil and ecosystem degradation from monoculture farming and excessive water use, aiming to achieve sustainable agriculture through enhancing ecosystem functions and water cycles. Seeds are sown in diverse mixtures at the onset of the rainy season.
Cameroon: Applying the principles of Synecoculture to undergrowth in cocoa farms, cultivating useful plants to improve farmers’ livelihoods while promoting sustainable cacao production.
（※）Synecoculture™
A farming method that harnesses the inherent self-organizing capacity of ecosystems in a multifaceted and holistic way to cultivate useful plants. It is an approach to ecosystem utilization that considers not only food production, but also the broader impacts on the environment and human health. It was scientifically formulated by Dr. Masatoshi Funabashi at Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. (President and Representative Director of SynecO, Inc..) Synecoculture is a trademark of Sony Group Corporation.
（※）Augmented Ecosystems
An ecosystem enhanced beyond its natural state through human intervention to increase biodiversity, thereby strengthening ecosystem functions and enabling the diverse ecosystem services tailored to specific needs.
[Media Inquiries]
Communications, SynecO, Inc. : syneco-inquiry@sony.com