The third ICA-MAFF (Japan) Training Course on “Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture and Improvement of Farmers’ Income through Development of Agricultural Cooperatives” in FY 2025 concluded at the Institute for the Development of Agricultural Cooperation in Asia (IDACA), Tokyo, on 4 August 2025. The training course was organised by the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) and IDACA and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of the Government of Japan. Six participants from six countries across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific attended the training.

The Opening Ceremony of the 3-week course was held on 18 July 2025 at the Cooperative League of Thailand (CLT), Bangkok, with welcome remarks by Mr. Phanuwat Wanraway, Chief of International Relations, CLT, and addresses from Mr. Hirofumi Kobayashi, Executive Director, IDACA, and Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer, Regional Director, ICA-AP. Ms. Natcha Chansanot, Acting Executive Director of CLT, formally inaugurated the course, followed by participant introductions. Mr. Ganesh Gopal, Lead –  Environment & Agriculture, ICA-AP, and the Course Coordinator, presented the training overview and a session on Action Plan preparation, setting the stage for two weeks of intensive learning sessions and field visits.

Part 1 of the course in Thailand was organised from 17–24 July 2025 and featured a rich blend of lectures and cooperative study visits. Participants were introduced to the history and development of Thai cooperatives at the CLT Training Centre. They gained valuable insights into government support mechanisms through visits to the Cooperative Promotion Department (CPD) and Cooperative Auditing Department (CAD). They visited agricultural cooperatives such as Lam Luk Ka Agricultural Cooperative Ltd., Ban Preaw Agricultural Cooperative Ltd., and the Kampaengsean Cattle Cooperative, observing livestock management and integrated value chains. At Banlat Agricultural Cooperative in Petchaburi Province, the delegation toured banana packaging and export units and learned about collaborative marketing initiatives with Japanese consumer coops. Many participants were particularly inspired by the continued sustainable farming practices rooted in projects initiated to shape rural development in the province.

Part 2 of the course in Japan was conducted from 25 July to 5 August 2025 and provided exposure to the structures and innovations of Japanese agricultural cooperatives. In Chiba Prefecture, participants visited the Provincial Farm Support Center, which demonstrated provincial-level agricultural extension, and interacted with members of JA Ichikawa’s commodity-wise groups. At JA Sambugunshi, they studied cooperative marketing strategies, while a visit to Chibadan Organic Village highlighted the possibilities of public-private partnerships in promoting farm tourism and organic agriculture. The participants also visited JA Sagami, which showcased Japan’s initiatives in digitalisation and smart agriculture, including case studies on pesticide-free cultivation in Matsudo City and mechanisation initiatives by local cooperatives.

Throughout both phases, participants developed action plans tailored to their national and local contexts of agricultural practices, sustainability contexts, and cooperative structure. Beginning with orientation sessions in Bangkok, these plans were refined in Tokyo through workshops, peer review, and technical guidance. On 4 August, at IDACA, participants presented their final action plans and shared strategies to strengthen cooperatives and advance sustainable agriculture in their home countries.

The Closing Ceremony was held thereafter at IDACA, Tokyo, with messages of encouragement from Mr. Iyer, Dr. Rose Karimi, Regional Director, ICA-Africa, Mr. Yuichi Moronaga, Counselor, and Ms. Tomoko Isobe, Assistant Director for Emerging Regions Division, MAFF, Japan, representatives of JA-Zenchu, and Mr. Kobayashi. Certificates were awarded to participants, followed by a vote of thanks and group photographs.

The ICA-MAFF (Japan) Training Course, which has been in existence for nearly four decades, has shaped countless success stories in agricultural cooperative leadership and made a significant impact on cooperative development across Asia and Africa. By weaving together classroom learning, cooperative field visits, and peer exchange across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, the 2025 training course highlighted the enduring role of cooperatives as engines of sustainable agriculture. More than a study programme, the ICA-MAFF (Japan) Training Course has consistently served as a platform for building cross-continental solidarity, equipping participants with practical tools, innovative strategies, and a renewed commitment to advance cooperative-led development in their respective countries.