45 percent of primary agricultural co-operatives (JAs) nationwide have become a member of local chambers of commerce and industry, indicating improved coordination between commercial and agricultural organizations, according to a survey conducted by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The survey showed that many farm co-ops and the chambers have cooperated in holding events, as well as developing new products and services. The chamber says such joint efforts by different industries is important to make good use of local resources and revitalize regional areas.
The survey was conducted on chambers of commerce and industry nationwide between November last year and the end of January. 451 chambers, 88 percent of the total, responded.
202 chambers answered they have primary JAs as members. There are cases where a primary JA has joined more than one chamber located in the district it serves, and in other cases a group of JAs became a member of one chamber. 22 percent of forestry organizations joined a total of 101 local chambers, while 26 percent of fisheries organizations have become a member of a total of 119 chambers, the survey said.
64 chambers said they have set up a panel or a committee related to the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry. In terms of specific sectors, 30 of the committees — the largest number – deal with the fisheries sector, followed by 12 dealing with the overall industry, 10 dealing with the forestry sector and 6 dealing with the farming sector.
Asked whether they cooperate with JAs in terms of business or other projects, 206 chambers, or 46 percent of respondents, said they cooperate with JAs in some form, exceeding 172 chambers or 38 percent which denied such cooperation exists. Specifically, 75 chambers said they jointly hold events such as Sunday markets, festivals and matchmaking events, while 74 chambers said they jointly develop products and services making use of locally-produced farm items. 55 said they regularly hold meetings with JAs.
JA Shin Akita, a farm co-op in the city of Akita which joined a local chamber in fiscal 2014, established a new sales channel for frozen edamame green soybeans through interacting with other member firms. JA Enshu Chuo, a farm co-op in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, became a member of three local chambers in the current fiscal year, and has been participating in the chambers’ events such as open air markets using pickup trucks as shops.
In order to further encourage such moves, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry plans to create and distribute to local chambers a leaflet containing examples of cross-sector coordination, and hold tours to areas which have been successful.
(Sept. 8, 2015)