Communal agricultural corporations in Miyoshi, Hiroshima Prefecture, are stepping up cooperation to learn ways to add value to their agricultural products.
Out of 27 agricultural corporations which form a group to share management know-how and agricultural machinery, four corporations jointly established a food processing network to share problems and solutions, and plan training programs and field trips. Member corporations of the network have increased to eight.
Toshiko Kodama, 75, a member of the network and an official in charge of processing business at agricultural producers’ cooperative corporation Nahirodani, said it is difficult for one corporation to invite experts or arrange tours, adding that joint efforts enable them to learn broader range of knowledge to improve their business.
Members of the food processing network in Miyoshi, Hiroshima Pref., discuss development of new processed food products.
The first fruit of their cooperation was “Furusato Miyoshi Mankitsu Monogatari,” a year-end gift set put on sale last year. The corporations took advantage of the fact that each of them can offer different items, and put together a gift set comprised of 12 processed food items made in Miyoshi, including miso soybean paste, rice cakes, soy bean flour and soybean paste dressing. An agricultural cooperative in Miyoshi carried out sales and shipping, and sold 190 sets last year.
In November, the network members plan to hold a meeting to discuss development of new processed food products and create sales strategies for a new farmers’ store which is expected to open in the area.
Isao Kodama, 69, head of Nahirodani, says the network gives an opportunity for women working in different corporations to work together, adding that women play an indispensable role in revitalizing the local community.
(Oct. 22, 2013)