公益社団法人 国際農業者交流協会

OVERSEAS AGRICULTURAL TRAINING PROGRAMS

1.OVERSEAS YOUNG JAPANESE FARMERS TRAINING PROGRAM

JAEC sends agricultural trainees to agriculturally advanced countries under the 1 – 1 and half year program. They follow farm training and join lecture courses.

Upon return to Japan, they are expected to be leading farmers equipped with global perspectives, technological and managerial capabilities as well as strong leadership in their communities. These youths will also contribute to international exchange and cooperation.

Approximately 14,800 trainees have been sent to countries in North-, South America and Europe since 1952, when the program started.

2. SHORT-TERM FOREIGN AGRICULTURE STUDY PROGRAM

This program provides community leaders and advanced farmers (men and women) with opportunities to observe and study the latest status of farm production and marketing, environmental protection, animal product processing, horticultural therapy, etc. on short-term visits of foreign countries.

The program is intended to train talented people, with an international perspective, who will contribute to the agricultural development of their communities and promote international exchange.

YOUNG FOREIGN FARMERS TRAINING PROGRAM IN JAPAN

1. ASEAN YOUNG FARM LEADERS TRAINING PROGRAM IN JAPAN

This program hosts agricultural trainees from ASEAN countries (Indonesia,Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand). They learn latest agricultural technology and management skills through practical on-farm training and lecture sessions. This program is also aimed at promoting mutual cultural understanding and friendship through personal contacts with the Japanese farmers in the local communities.

Since 1983, the total number of trainees who have completed the program is approximately 2,400 persons.

2. EUROPEAN YOUNG FARMERS TRAINING PROGRAM IN JAPAN

The program is implemented as a part of the two-way exchange program with European countries, where JAEC sends Japanese trainees. European youths are trained on farm. In addition, they contribute to mutual understanding and friendship through contacts with community people.

The program is being implemented since 1978.

PROGRAMS FOR PROMOTING FARM MANAGEMENT STUDY

1. STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL MARKETING OF FARM COMMODITIES

Seminars and workshops are organized for information exchange and discussions concerning overseas agriculture with a view to attaining internationally competitive agriculture. Participants are: farm community leaders, advanced farmers, potential entrants to farming, etc.

2. INFORMATION AND SERVICES

JAEC publishes a semi-annual magazine“The New Farmers”, other papers and documents. JAEC also provides services as requested by farmers, trainees,etc. concerned with farm exchange programs.

PROGRAMS/PROJECTS CONCERNED WITH GROBAL AGRICULTURE

JAEC undertakes wide-ranging activities for supplementing the above-mentioned activities and promoting international cooperation. It also accepts requests from Government agencies and non-governmental organizations/institutions for occasional studies and other services as long as JAEC regulations permit.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNCIL

1. ESTABLISHMENT

The Association for International Collaboration of Farmers, Japan (est. 1952) and the Japanese Agricultural Training Council (est. 1966) were consolidated in an attempt to assure the further development and strengthening of the programs. As a result, the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC), the incorporated nonprofit organization, was established on March 30, 1988.

2. ADMINISTERING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

• Consular and Migration Policy Division, Consular Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Young Farmers and Women Division, Management Improvement Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

3. OBJECTIVES

The goals of the Council’s activities are to offer Japanese farm youth the opportunities to cultivate their international awareness and to expand their abilities with experiences they have as overseas agricultural trainees. The Council also conducts agricultural training programs in Japan for farm youths of foreign countries, so that they can become core farmers in their respective countries. The programs are conducted with the objective of ontributing to agricultural development both in Japan and abroad. These programs are intended to promote the international exchange of farmers and eventually to contribute to the world’s peace and harmonious prosperity.