Kumamoto and its neighboring prefectures marked one month on April 14 since the first of two massive earthquakes struck the region. People in the agricultural sector are growing their concerns that some of the quake-hit farmers will face a serious problem of “double loan debts” when they challenge to rehabilitate their farm management by getting a new loan without paying off an existing debt. In the territory of Kikuchi Agricultural Cooperative (JA Kikuchi), based at Kikuchi-shi, Kumamoto prefecture, which is one of the biggest milk producing areas in Japan, a number of caw barns were crashed down by the heavy quakes and aftershocks. Rebuilding of each facility is estimated to … Continue reading →

The three-day general assembly of World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), held under the overall theme of “Partnership for Growth” in Livingstone, Zambia, successfully completed its program on May 6. At the closing of the Rome-based WFO’s general assembly, participants of more than 600 representatives of farmers’ organizations throughout the world agreed it is especially necessary for farmers’ organizations to strengthen their bargaining power with governmental authorities and related corporations through encouraging farmers to form their organization. They also confirmed the importance of reflecting farmers’ views on farm policy improvement and agricultural income growth with their strengthened bargaining power. Choe Okuno, president of JA ZENCHU, an apex body of agricultural cooperative (JA) … Continue reading →

Harumi Suzuki, president of National Council of Agricultural Cooperative Women’s Associations, had a meeting with Evelyn Nguleka, the first female president of World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) headquartered at Rome, Italy, at Livingstone, Zambia on May 5, where the WFO’s General Assembly was held during three days since May 4. At the meeting, WFO’s president Nguleka touched upon women’s participation in farmers’ organization, and emphasized the importance of their ability to advocate their views to the outside of the organization. Harumi Suzuki, a member of Japanese agricultural cooperatives’ delegation to the WFO conference, shared Nguleka’s view and pointed out that agricultural women, participating in their farm organization, will be more required … Continue reading →