Monthly Archives: May 2014

  International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) President Pauline Green has expressed strong concern over a government panel’s proposal for agricultural reform, which includes breaking up of Japan’s agricultural cooperative system. The Council for Regulatory Reform proposed on Wednesday, May 14, that the supervisory function of the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Zenchu) should be abolished to give primary farm co-ops freer hand to run their businesses. It also said JA’s mutual aid and credit businesses should be transferred to other agricultural financial institutions. In a letter sent to JA-Zenchu President Akira Banzai by Tuesday, May 27, Green said the draft proposals “would clearly attack the very fundamental principles of the (co-operative) … Continue reading →

  Shingo Oka In Hokkaido, which produces half of the total raw milk supply in the nation, farmers and primary agricultural cooperatives are working to recover decline in the region’s milk production due to the increasing number of people giving up farming. Dairy farmers are actively promoting their products to consumers, while agricultural cooperatives are setting up dairy products companies to maintain the number of cows and create employment opportunities. In fiscal 2013, Hokuren Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, which is engaged in sales and marketing of farm products in Hokkaido, was entrusted with 3,758,845 tons of raw milk, down 1.7 percent from the previous year. The drop was especially large … Continue reading →