The ICA Director General, Mr. Jeroen Douglas, accompanied by Mr. Balu Iyer, ICA-AP Regional Director, made his first visit to meet members in the Republic of Korea, Japan, and China from 24 to 31 August 2024. Mr. Iyer narrates the experience of the visit. 

Exploring Cooperative Resilience through Korea

Accompanying Jeroen Douglas, on his first visit to Korea, Japan, and China has been an enlightening experience. Our journey began in Korea, the Land of the Morning Calm, where we were met with a harmonious blend of traditional hospitality and modern innovation.

Korean agricultural cooperatives are currently navigating significant challenges, including an ageing farming population, rural depopulation, the declining economic contribution of agriculture, and fierce competition. Despite these hurdles, they remain steadfast in their mission to strengthen rural communities, promote locally grown products, ensure farmers receive their fair share, and provide consumers with affordable, high-quality goods. These were the focal points of our discussions with Mr. Ho-dong Kang, Chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF) of Korea, and Mr. Noh Dong-Jin, Chairman of the Korea National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (KNFFC).

An article in the Korea JoongAng Daily caught our attention, highlighting how cooperatives are addressing these pressing issues. Our visit to the iCOOP Center in Mangpo 1-dong was particularly fascinating. This center, which hosts their healing center, lifecare lounge, retail store, café, and community space, stands as a testament to iCOOP’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and ethical consumption since its establishment in 1998. Today, iCOOP’s initiatives, such as Carbon Healing Agriculture and Anticancer Foods, aim to prevent chronic diseases. Their mission, “Bringing Joy to All: Healing People, Cooling the Planet,” underscores a deep commitment to environmental sustainability and human well-being. Chairman Mi-kyung Shun shared insights into their Lifecare Movement, which emphasizes preventive health measures and lifestyle improvements.

Our visits to Hanaro Mart, iCOOP stores, and GIMPO Local Foods store further demonstrated the dedication and pride of Korea’s cooperatives in promoting local products that embody safety, trust, care, and community spirit.

A heartfelt “Kamsahamnida” to our members in Korea!

Japan’s Cooperative Leadership in the Asia Pacific Region

Japanese cooperatives have long played a leadership role in the Asia Pacific region, excelling in sectors such as agriculture, consumer goods, forestry, and fisheries. Today, they are expanding their influence by playing key roles in social services, worker cooperatives, and beyond. Organizations like JA-Zenchu, the Japanese Consumer Cooperatives’ Union (JCCU), and other cooperatives have been at the forefront of supporting the cooperative movement through extensive training programs, exchange visits, and knowledge sharing.

During our two days in Tokyo, it was enlightening to gain perspective on the rich history and evolution of Japanese cooperatives. Their steadfast commitment to cooperative identity and their proactive efforts to seize the opportunity to showcase the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) in 2025 was clearly evident.

A comprehensive proposal, compiled by the national Apex, Japan Cooperative Alliance (JCA) for submission to the ICA, reflects the insights gathered from workshops and events held throughout Japan in 2023. These were generated through 42 workshops and events which were attended by 2,300 cooperative members, executives, and employees. The proposal emphasizes that solving the myriad social challenges we face and building a better society requires the proactive involvement of diverse individuals and the power of cooperation. It highlights the importance of positioning employees as co-workers in cooperatives, fostering cooperation beyond traditional boundaries, and promoting values such as peace, non-violence, diversity, inclusion, dialogue, and mutual understanding.

On July 9, 2024, leaders from Japanese cooperatives and organizations supporting the objectives of IYC 2025 gathered at the TKP Shinjuku Conference Center in Tokyo for the inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee for IYC 2025. The committee is dedicated to advancing contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing the understanding and visibility of cooperatives. During this meeting, they confirmed the committee’s goals, plans, and structure, setting the stage for active discussions and impactful initiatives leading up to a successful IYC 2025.

We also had an engaging dialogue with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), as well as the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, discussing the vital work of cooperatives and Japan’s significant role in supporting the development of cooperatives across the region.

Scale and Innovation – China’s Agricultural Supply and Marketing Cooperatives

In the final leg of a three-nation tour with Jeroen Douglas, we were given an overview of the expansive operations of the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC). The organization’s massive scale and scope are evident in its impressive network of 10,000 distribution centres, 800,000 outlets, and 24,000 business activities, which collectively generate an annual turnover of 6.7 trillion yuan. Additionally, the Farmland Trust, managing 200 million hectares—11% of China’s agricultural land—plays a crucial role in the sector.

ACFSMC acts as a bridge between small farmers and large markets, facilitating the flow of agricultural products to urban areas while channeling industrial resources to rural communities. Its projects are designed to enhance agricultural production and improve farmers’ livelihoods. According to Mr. Adili Wubili, Vice President of ACFSMC, “We understand farmers and aim to achieve scale through our diverse services, targeting a 50% increase in sales over the next decade.”

A visit to the Xinfadi Wholesale Market was particularly revealing. Situated on Beijing’s 4th Ring Road, it caters to 90% of the city’s needs, handling 16,180,000 tonnes of vegetables, fruits, and livestock annually, with a turnover of $12.2 billion.

In China, one expects large-scale operations, but the magnitude of these figures truly underscores the remarkable scale of ACFSMC’s influence.