National Action Plan for Agenda 21 -Chap. 32

[Agenda 21] National Action Plan for Agenda 21

Chapter 32 STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF FARMERS

The role played by farmers, who are directly involved in the agricultural, forestry and fishery industries, as well as by farmers' organizations is extremely big for the effective promotion of environmentally harmonious sustainable development of the agricultural, forestry and fishery industries.

The Agricultural Cooperative, which is an independent cooperative of farmers, has been established in Japan for the purpose of increasing the production capability of the agricultural industry as well as improving the economic and social position of farmers. This agricultural cooperative organization decided at the National Conference held in 1991, to promote environmentally friendly agriculture. As a project for the guidance of environmentally friendly agriculture, the organization is promoting a campaign for the development of agricultural methods that are friendly to the environment, through the creative efforts of farmers and agricultural organizations themselves, by conducting activities to increase awareness for such matters among farmers. Additionally, the organization is raising the level of understanding among farmers concerning the reduction of the amount of materialssuch as agricultural chemicals and fertilizers that are used, on a nationwide scale.

Also, as regards international cooperation concerning the nurturing of agricultural organizations, Japan will attach importance to the implementation of the following activities:

(1)

Japan will continue to provide aid for training the middle-level instructors of agricultural organizations in Asian countries, supporting agricultural instruction conducive to the conservation of the environment.

(2)

Through development studies conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as well as seminars conducted in developing countries, Japan is undertaking activities, with the participation of farmers, to increase public awareness concerning environmental conservation and sustainable development. It will continue to promote projects to transfer participatory technology for infrastructure improvement to farmers in developing countries, based on Japan's experience in the organization of land improvement groups, which have conducted independent management and conservation of agricultural land and water.

(3)

Because of the fact that in many developing countries the conservation of such things as biological diversity is related to the sound development of rural areas, Japan will consider the relationship between farmers and regional environmental conservation when providing assistance to developing countries.

Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan