Workshop for local farmers in three towns (Amaryu, Numata, and Hokuryu) was held: "Mr. Terukazu Tateshita, on paddy field farming policies for 2023" and "Mr. Saki Takeuchi, on methods to secure local bearers and how to accept them".

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

On February 27 (Mon.) from 2:00 p.m., a workshop for local farmers was held at the Kitasorachi Agricultural Cooperative Association's Hokuryu Branch Office (2nd floor training room), hosted by Chairman Yutaka Sano (Mayor of Hokuryu Town) of the Three Towns (Amaryu, Numata and Hokuryu) Council for the Promotion of Improved Farm Management. The participants listened attentively to the presentation.

Workshop for local farmers in three towns (Amaryu, Numata, and Hokuryu)

• Sponsored by:Yutaka Sano, Chairman (Mayor of Hokuryu Town), Council for the Promotion of Improved Farming in the Three Towns (Amaryu, Numata, and Hokuryu)
• Date and time:Monday, February 27, 2023, 2:00 p.m. ~ 4:00 p.m.
• Location:Kitasorachi Agricultural Cooperative Hokuryu Branch Office, 2F Training Room

As we work to improve the production quality and competitiveness of paddy rice, the region's core crop, the environment surrounding agriculture is changing dramatically.

The purpose of this workshop is to deepen insight into the current state of farming and the securing of farmers, and to contribute to the promotion of local agriculture, as the number of farmers is decreasing and succession problems are beginning to affect local communities and farming operations.

The workshop featured lectures by Mr. Terukazu Tateshita, Chief Agricultural Policy Officer, Hokkaido Agricultural Administration Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Asahikawa Regional Office, and Ms. Saki Takeuchi, Manager, Hokkaido Sales Division, Mynavi Corporation, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Job Assessment Department.

General Moderator: Keiko Tsugiki, Manager, Industry Division, Hokuryu Town Hall

Greeting: Mr. Hirokuni Kitakiyo, Vice Chairman of the Three Towns Agricultural Improvement Promotion Council (Representative Director of Hokuryu District, Kitasorachi Agricultural Cooperative Association)

Today, many of you attended the "Regional Agricultural Workshop" hosted by the Three Towns Agricultural Improvement Promotion Council. Thank you very much.

Today we have two lecturers here to talk about the requirements for utilizing paddy fields, and we will also hear from Mr. Takeuchi, Manager of Mynavi Corporation, about the acceptance system for new farmers and agriculture.

In Hokuryu Town, there are 41 farmers working toward conversion to field land, with an area of 172 ha. This application will result in approximately 170 hectares of land being converted to farmland.

When we think about this town as a whole, we really do not want the flat areas to be turned into fields as much as possible. Since this area is mainly for improvement district projects and paddy rice cropping, we are now thinking that having a field in the middle might make it a bit difficult to do so. We are thinking that it would be good if each form of management can be done well.

The current situation is that we are facing a major challenge: the number of farmers is rapidly decreasing. The major issue is how to attract new farmers, agricultural trainees, and other people involved in agriculture.

As such, I hope that you will listen carefully to today's training and contribute to the advancement of agriculture in the respective towns of Amaryu, Numata, and Hokuryu, even if only a little.

There will be time for questions later, so I would like to open the meeting with my sincere hope that you will speak up and make this a meaningful time. Thank you for coming today," said Mr. Kitakiyo, Vice President.

Part 1: Policy on paddy field agriculture for the 2023 crop year

• Lecturer: Mr. Terukazu Tateshita, Chief Agricultural Policy Officer, Hokkaido Agricultural Administration Office, Asahikawa Regional Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Profile of Terukazu Tateshita

• Graduated from Hirosaki University, Faculty of Agriculture, 1988
• He joined the Hokkaido Food Office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, where he was involved in agricultural product inspections, government rice storage and management, food labeling, and management income stabilization measures.
  From 2021, he will be working on the promotion of regional agriculture and support for farmers as a general agricultural policy promotion officer.

Lecture

He gave a lecture based on detailed materials on topics such as the budget related to rice paddy utilization subsidy payments and the budget related to the field conversion promotion project.

• Supply-Demand Outlook for Staple Rice in 2022 and 2024
• Status of crop conversion in 2021 and 2021
• Policy on paddy field agriculture for the 2023 crop year (consideration of initiatives for wheat, soybeans, vegetables, and rice for rice flour)
• Revision of Paddy Fields Eligible for Direct Payment Grants for Utilization of Paddy Fields
• Regarding rice paddies eligible for direct payment grants for utilization of rice paddies (embodiment of the 5-year water coverage rule)
• The concept of "a certain period" of watering by other than paddy rice cropping (from the viewpoint of reducing continuous cropping damage)
• Overall Budget for 2023 Rice Paddy Utilization
• Project to promote field conversion (support for field conversion, support for promotion of establishment, support for settlement money, etc., support for system building)
• Outline of the Project to Promote the Formation of Field Crop Production Areas (Former Paddy Field Renovation Project) (Details of Support and Image of Support for Producers)
• Direct Payment Grants for Utilization of Rice Paddies, etc.
• Project to promote the development of new markets for rice
• Changes in application items for feed rice

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Part 2: "Methods of Securing Local Leaders and How to Accept Them"

• Lecturer: Ms. Saki Takeuchi, Manager, Hokkaido Sales Section, Mynavi Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Job-Ass Business Management Department, Mynavi Corporation

Profile of Saki Takeuchi

• Born in Nagoya, Japan, he joined Mynavi Corporation in 2005.
• 2018- Lived in Hokkaido for 6 years
• Since 2015, he has been working in the agricultural sector, supporting production companies and JA municipalities in their recruitment efforts. In addition to planning events for new farmers and agricultural job fairs, he also serves as an instructor for various training programs, including "training to improve recruiting skills" and "PR methods for recruiting bearers.
  Also operates "Mynavi Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Job Ass", a job site for the primary industry, and "Job Ass Internship", an internship information site specializing in the primary industry.

Lecture

I will be discussing methods and best practices for securing workers. I hope it will be helpful for you to think about how to bring people into our town.

First, in order to secure farmers, it is important to first know your counterparts (trends and values of prospective immigrants and farmers), look back on yourself (regional characteristics and initiatives), and learn from others (best practices).

1. Know your audience: Know the values and trends of young people in job hunting and convey the appeal of agriculture to them.

• Young people's values for work style "zero overtime," "enjoyment of work," and "bright workplace
• Understand the image of the agricultural industry (interest)
• Understand what you are looking for in a place of employment (the importance of a rewarding experience where you can grow and contribute to society)
• Digital communication expands your horizons to the world
• Organize information dissemination methods (add the ability to apply for a job using a smartphone)
• Create and communicate the appeal of agriculture (organize, clarify, and disseminate information to the correct target audience)
• Learn about trends and values of prospective migrants and farmers (employment, work opportunities, income, lifestyle, transportation)

2. Reflect on yourself: Communicate Hokkaido's characteristics, advantages, and current initiatives.

• The Pyramid worksheet on the path to retention shows the effectiveness of the program.
• Internet information gathering, consultation meetings, event participation, local tours, training, and farming

3. Learn from others: Learn about various successful examples of farming (devise ways to communicate information)

• Importance of communicating the "appeal of people," understanding their fears, concerns, and desires, and demonstrating the presence of a vision of a community that can relate to and empathize with diverse needs.
• How to communicate, show and deliver information
• Planning and Institutional Devices
• It is important to convey "human attractiveness.

(1) Nagano Prefecture Case Study (Introduction of special website)

• Lively senior farmers (with interviews), introduction of mentors, information on daily life, online consultation sessions, and antenna stores
• Information and lists of participants in the consultation sessions are cloud-shared (to check progress, continuation, and termination).
• Organize information in an easy-to-understand manner for those interested in agriculture

(2) Introduction of examples of farming support by Nasushiobara City

• Key points of the program are: a variety of training contents (5 courses can be selected to suit your needs), and overwhelming support (generous support from government and local farmers).

(3) Case study of the establishment of the Kuriyama Agricultural Promotion Corporation

• PR information and institutional innovations (free farming, generous follow-up by local farmers)

Key Principles from Success Stories

• "the attractiveness and personality of the people," "meeting people," "being in an area where you can realize and share your way of life," and "listening to the other person well."

This was followed by a question and answer session. Questions were asked about post-employment conditions, follow-up services, etc.

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers for the Regional Agricultural Workshop, which will lead to the promotion and development of regional agriculture in the future by understanding the current state of farming, listening to and deepening understanding of the ideas of farmers, and communicating the attractiveness of regional initiatives and people.

More Photos

Click here to see 38 photos from the 3-town (Amaryu, Numata, and Hokuryu) regional farmers' workshop >>

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