ICA-MAFF (Japan) Training Course for African Countries
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of the Government of Japan has collaborated with the International Cooperative Alliance through its Asia-Pacific Regional Office (ICA-AP) to implement the Capacity Building Project for Agricultural Cooperative Sector in Asia and Africa (CBC Project in AA) in FY2024 of Japan.
As part of this project, the Training Course on the Capacity Building of Farmers to Respond to Challenges through Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in FY-2024 was held in Japan from 13 to 26 October 2024. It was organised in collaboration with the Institute for the Development of Agricultural Cooperation in Asia (IDACA). A total of six participants from Cameroon, Eswatini, Malawi, Mauritius, and Tanzania were nominated by the ICA Africa and the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) to learn the ways farmers are organised into cooperatives in Japan and how to establish and strengthen agricultural businesses.
Before starting the on-site training, participants completed home country assignments from September 28 to October 12, watched pre-recorded videos on Japanese Agricultural Cooperatives (JAs) and drafted action plans for their organisations.
The opening ceremony was held in a hybrid mode on 15 October. Participants heard from Mr. Hirofumi Kobayashi, Executive Director, IDACA, and received encouraging video messages from Mr. Balu Iyer, ICA-AP Regional Director, Dr. Sifa Chiyoge, ICA Africa Regional Director and Mr. Andrea Porro, WFO Secretary General. This was followed by a review of home country assignments.
During the two-week training in Japan, they visited Japanese agricultural cooperatives (JAs) and individual farmers engaged in organic farming, agricultural processing, etc. in Chiba, Gunma, and Tokyo prefectures and the Zen-Noh Research & Development Center to learn about JA operations, farm support, industrialisation, marketing, quality assurance, organic farming, and business management. Classroom sessions covered topics of Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP).
Participants also received guidance to develop their action plans, which focused on improving the income of farmers in Africa by increasing production and marketing activities, capacity building of farmers and cooperative leaders, and inclusion of youth and women in agri-businesses.
The training concluded with the presentation of action plans by the participants. A closing ceremony was organised to congratulate and felicitate the participants on the successful completion of the training. It was attended by Mr. Mitsuhiro INAMURA, Director of Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and Exchange and Training Program, Emerging Region Division, Export and International Affairs Bureau, MAFF; Mr. Kobayashi from IDACA, Mr. Porro from WFO, along with program coordinators of IDACA and ICA-AP. Mr. Toshihiko Baba, Senior Executive Director, Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA Zenchu), Mr. Iyer, and Dr. Sifa sent video messages. Mr. Valentine Nchinda from Cameroon delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of all participants. The participants were awarded certificates of participation.
