JA-ZENCHU (Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives) or an apex body of agricultural cooperatives (JAs) in Japan held the first session of consecutive “Top Forum” in Osaka city on November 1, which is to be organized at six cities this month in the country.
JA-ZENCHU aims at successfully promoting a three-year campaign of self-reforms in agricultural cooperative activities, which were pledged by JAs’ representatives throughout the country at their 27th National Convention held last autumn, by confirming a steady progress of the campaign in its first year with executive leaders of JAs at the Top Forum.
Participants in the Top Forum particularly shared practical experiences among themselves in raising agricultural income of member farmers as well as increasing farm production which are common challenges to be pursued on the basis of the resolution adopted at the National Convention.
They also exchanged information not only on how to achieve a fruitful result, but also on how to solve problems faced in the campaign at a panel discussion on successful case studies.
More than 100 top management people in the Kinki Region, including presidents of JAs, took part in the Osaka session of the Top Forum.
At the panel discussion, Ichiro Ozaki, president of JA Tajima in Hyogo prefecture, made a report on organic or less chemical farming with a special reference to production of high-quality branded rice named as “Rice Grown in Storks-arriving Environment.”
The top leader of JA Tajima emphasized it is most important for his JA to increase production of contract-cultivation rice so as to enable member farmers to secure their agricultural income in a stable manner.
“Higher added-value and strengthened power of brand, I believe, are essential keys for realizing growth-oriented agriculture,” Ichiro Ozaki said.