【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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【News】 TPP Minister Amari seeks basic agreements in Japan-U.S. Talks (Sept. 7, 2014)

  The government will seek early settlement of the Japan-U.S. talks concerning tariffs on agricultural products, trying to reach basic agreements of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks, Akira Amari, minister in charge of Economic Revitalization and TPP indicated in the interview with the Japan Agricultural News and others. To reach the basic agreements in November that U.S. President Barack Obama aims at, the Japan-U.S. talks need to be concluded and the ministerial meeting has be held in October, Amari said. “President Obama has set the basic agreements in November as a goal, and the negotiations are moving toward it”, Amari said. “We have to plan two events (Japan-U.S. talks and … Continue reading

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【News】 Make ties and sail boats for future (Sept. 7, 2014)

Kotaro Yamada – Reed Boat School (Ishinomaki-shi, Miyagi Prefecture) – Three and a half years ago, the great earthquake hit the eastern part of Japan and tsunami swept away a large part of reed fields along the Kitakami River. Today, a specified non-profit organization (NPO) organized by local residents of Ishinomaki-shi, Miyagi Prefecture, is trying to restore the fields. In late August, it had an event for approximately 30 people, mostly the local and some from other areas, to offer an experience of building reed boats. The event was held for the first time by the organization, inviting Jin Ishikawa, a professional adventurer, as a lecturer. Ishikawa has learnt reed … Continue reading

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【Editorial】 Women’s views important in zero-accident campaign for farms (Sept. 5, 2014)

  This fall’s farm safety campaign has been launched this week, focusing for the first time on women’s high ability to detect and avoid danger. We totally agree with the agriculture ministry’s decision to place women’s views as the pillar of the campaign. We even think they should have done it earlier. Women, who occupy half of the total agricultural worker population, can contribute greatly to improving the working environment of farmers and meeting the goal of zero accidents. Some 600 organizations are participating in the campaign which will run through October, distributing campaign materials nationwide and holding training sessions and lectures, as well as visiting farms to ramp up … Continue reading

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