JCCU held the “34th Nationwide Annual Sanchoku Research Exchange Meeting” on February 23 and 24 in Kyoto. 330 people including producers, researchers, affiliated companies, government officials and representatives from consumer co-ops nationwide participated in the event.

State of the venue

The theme for the event was "sustainable region, agriculture and sanchoku".

“Sanchoku” is a direct transaction and cooperative activity between producers and consumers.

In the plenary session on 23rd, FUJII Yoshitsugu, Executive Director of JCCU gave the opening remarks followed by a lecture by Professor ZUSHI Naoya, Professor, Hosei University, Faculty of Social Policy & Administration, entitled “Connecting urban and rural areas to revitalize the local area (community) and agriculture”.

Lecture by Professor ZUSHI Naoya

Subsequently, another lecture was given by Mr. OIKAWA Tomomasa, President & Representative Director, Nousouken Corporation on the theme "Establishing attractive agricultural industry as a business”.

Mr. OIKAWA Tomomasa

Following that, with the theme “Agricultural Internship and supports for settlement” two lectures were given by Mr. UENO Tsuguo of Wakasa Town Integrated Strategy Division, and Ms. YASHIRO Eri of agricultural production corporation Kaminaka Nogakusha Co., Ltd.

(R)Ms. YASHIRO Eri (L)Mr. UENO Tsuguo

At the end of the exchange meeting, as a "Report by Sanchoku Business Committee", Mr. FUJITA Chikatsugu of Co-opdeli Consumers’ Co-operative Union who is also the Chairman of the Sanchoku Business Committee spoke on "sustainable region, agriculture and sanchoku" and “Good Agricultural Practices, GAP” and co-ops effort.

Mr. FUJITA Chikatsugu

Also sectional meetings were held on 24 under seven subcommittees with participants deepening understanding of the discussion based on practical reports. Topics discussed include;

1. "Creating sustainable regions and agriculture"
2. "Creating a supply business of local production for local consumption"
3. "Strengthen partnerships with sanchoku production areas"
4. "Expanding the use of sanchoku as raw materials in product development"
5. "Transformation of rice policy and future of sanchoku rice"
6. "Tackling Good Agricultural Practices for livestock (animal husbandry)"
7. "Strengthening the connection between producers and co-op members"

State of the subcommittee