Farm minister Tetsuro Nomura (front right) receives explanations on mango farming in the city of Miyazaki on March 18.
MIYAZAKI, March 19 — Tetsuro Nomura, the minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, visited on March 18 the city of Miyazaki which will host the Group of Seven agricultural ministers’ meeting in April and exchanged opinions with Miyazaki Gov. Shunji Kono and others.
Nomura reiterated that the meeting will focus on food security and said Japan plans to explain efforts related to its Green Food System Strategy aimed at reducing the environmental impact of agriculture, including extensive cooperation between crop farming and livestock production.
The farm ministers’ meeting, to be chaired by Nomura, is scheduled to be held on April 22 and 23 at Seagaia Convention Center in the city.
“Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, food security has aroused great interest among countries,” Nomura said at a news conference in Miyazaki, stressing his determination to lead discussions on the issue.
“I hope to raise the issue of extensive cooperation among distribution, crop farming and livestock production, such as exchanging compost and rice straw, as one of the areas for discussion,” Nomura added.
“This will be an international conference worth holding in Miyazaki, as we can offer participants the opportunity to actually see and taste farm produce,” he said, expressing hope that the event will help promote Japan’s agricultural products and increase foreign visitors.
Kono said he hopes the G7 meeting will become an opportunity to reconsider food and agriculture and encourage people involved in farming.
After visiting the convention center, Nomura went to a farm operated by mango grower Yoshihiko Nitawaki, 55, of Miyazaki. Nitawaki explained to the minister the production process of Taiyo no Tamago, a Miyazaki-grown premium mango brand.