JAPAN’S peak farm body will meet with the National Farmers’ Federation this week in Canberra to discuss key issues facing farmers and the agriculture sector.
The NFF will host a visit from the Central Union of Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA Zenchu), the powerful Japanese peak farm body, on Wednesday and Thursday this week aimed at strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
It will be the third time the NFF has met with its Japanese counterpart this year, with NFF president Duncan Fraser meeting representatives from JA Zenchu, including its president Akira Banzai, in Tokyo and Brunei in April, and issuing an invitation for them to visit Australia.
The JA Zenchu visit will include a farm visit to an ACT sheep and cattle property and meetings with the NFF and its members, plus the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“Japan is the second largest market for Australian agriculture – we export 12 percent of our agricultural produce, including beef, sugar, dairy and grains to Japan – which is why it is important to have a strong relationship with this key trading partner,” Mr Fraser said in a statement.
“The purpose of our time with the JA Zenchu delegation is to help us better understand the shared challenges and opportunities for agriculture in Australia and Japan.
“It’s a conversation we started in April with our trip to Japan - now we’re hosting our Japanese counterparts as they come to Australia to learn more about agriculture locally.
“Japanese and Australian agriculture share many commonalities, including the need to increase productivity growth and farmer profitability, deal with increasing costs, be prepared for a variable climate, and grow our market opportunities and exports.
“There are many opportunities for our two organisations to work together on issues of shared priority – attracting new entrants to our sectors, managing our sustainability and the natural environment, improving our competitiveness and the increased adoption of new technology.”
The 14-strong delegation visiting Australia this week includes JA Jenchu Vice president, Toshiaki Tobita, and the chairmen and deputy chairmen of the JA Jenchu committees, including the paddy farming committee, the horticultural products committee and JA Youth, the JA Zenchu young farmers committee.
