【News】 Decentralization Reform Committee calls for transfer of farmland conversion right (Sept. 13, 2014)

  The Decentralization Reform Committee of the Cabinet Office held the tenth meeting of the Farming Land and Villages Committee on Thursday, September 11, and argued about the transfer of clerical jobs and rights from the central government to the local governments. The specialists attended insisted the local governments be responsible for the issue of conversion permission. Although agricultural land might decrease in case of excessive development, the committee members also made positive remarks supporting the decentralization. The Farmland and Villages Committee plans to proceed with further examination regarding specific measures to secure farmland preservation. The point is whether they can propose effective measures or not. Now, large-scale conversion of … Continue reading

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【Focus】 TPP negotiators fail to narrow gaps; pressure rising toward yearend (Sept. 12, 2014)

  The two tracks of the current negotiations under the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks – bilateral working-level talks between Japan and the United States over tariffs on key agricultural products and the meeting of chief negotiators from all 12 participating countries to discuss issues concerning rules – both ended Wednesday, Sept. 10, with many hurdles still left before striking a deal. Japan and the U.S. began seeking chances of making progress on the ministerial level, as U.S. President Barack Obama is eager to reach a broad agreement under the TPP scheme in November. Concerns are rising over the possibility of Japan making concessions on key farm products under U.S. pressure … Continue reading

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【News】 Agriculture minister pledges to attract companies to rural villages (Sept. 11, 2014)

  Agriculture minister Koya Nishikawa said Wednesday, Sept. 10, that the government will make use of tax incentives and other measures to encourage private companies such as food product manufacturers to set up plants in rural villages. Speaking at a symposium held in JA Aichi Toyota, an agricultural co-operative in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, Nishikawa told farmers and JA officials that the government will make utmost efforts to double farmers’ incomes. In order to meet the goal, Nishikawa said it is important to support cooperation between farmers and companies under the “sixth industry” initiative – adding value to farm products by letting farmers engage in processing and marketing – and create … Continue reading

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【Editorial】 Human resource development vital for agricultural co-ops (Sept. 9, 2014)

  Amid vigorous discussions on reforming the Japanese agricultural co-operative group, human development has become more important than ever to reaffirm the significance of primary JAs. It is the JA staff members who bear the task of creating the future of the JA group and co-operative activities. Based on the resolution adopted at JA’s 26th national meeting in 2012, the JA group launched a national campaign last year to step up training of its manpower. The campaign has been extended to the prefectural level, and now it is time for primary JAs to take specific actions. Each JA must come up with clear prospects for the future, show what kind … Continue reading

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【News】 Incorporated agricultural organization in Fukushima supports revitalization of local agriculture (Sept. 9, 2014)

Hirobumi Senbongi Green Farm, an incorporated agricultural organization based in the mountainous village of Showa in western Fukushima Prefecture, takes care of 604 rice paddies in the village, totaling 95 hectares, to support local farmers. Thanks to the firm, the area of abandoned farmland in the village decreased by 10 percent in the last decade. By entrusting their rice fields to Green Farm, local farmers can concentrate on highly profitable cultivation of baby’s breath, making the village the nation’s top production area of the flower. In Showa, located between 400 and 700 meters above sea level with a population of 1,400, 70 percent of farmers are aged 65 or more … Continue reading

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