Japan Seed Trade Association
objective
The Association aims at contributing to the advancement of our country's horticultural farm
crop production by endeavoring ; to promote plant breeding by private seed companies with regard to
horticultural seeds and seedlings, to improve the productivity of horticultural seeds and seedlings, to
support smooth distribution of good varieties, to enhance international cooperation.
Thereby, it
also aims at contributing to the improvement of the living of the Japanese people.
(Article 3 on the
Statue)
outline
Japan Seed Trade Association (JASTA) was established in place of All Japan Seed Traders
Union, which had been voluntarily run by founders of JASTA for almost thirty years, and thereafter
authorized as Association by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1973.
JASTA
itself has been a member of ISF(International Seed Foundation) and APSA(Asia & Pacific Seed
Association).
A breeder or/and distributor of seeds and seedlings can be a candidate for a regular
member of JASTA when consenting to the objective and mission of Article 3 on the Statute of Japan Seed
Trade Association.
Strengthening of the food supply capacity
Since Japan is the World's largest importer of agricultural products, it is important to
strengthen the food supply capacity developing its agricultural sector in a
sustainable
way and to
raise the food self-sufficiency rate. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the current state of the
elements that make up the food supply capacity-farmland, agricultural water, farmers, and agricultural
technology-and implement effective measures for each element.
With respect to the farmland, the
government restricts its diversion to secure the prime land and promotes motivated farmers to
consolidate
the farmland by changing the base of the farmland lease system from landowner oriented to land borrower
oriented approach. The government also improves the agricultural land in a comprehensive and systematic
manner on the basis of long term land reform program (from FY2008 to FY2012). At the same time, it
maintains agricultural infrastructure by securing a stable agricultural water supply function and
drainage
condition. In addition, the year 2009 is defined as "First Year of the turning‐point for the extensive
use
of paddy fields" and the government promotes farmers to use fields extensively to boost full-scale
domestic
production of field crop, vegetable, fruit, flower, feed crop and so forth. Regarding farmers, the
government pursues steady implementation of support measures for core farmers, including the program of
direct payment for paddy-field farming. It also promotes highly-motivated young people to enter into the
agricultural sector through the consultancy for engaging into agriculture and the practical training
programs provided by agricultural production corporations.
Regarding agricultural technology, the
government accelerates to develop energy-, labor-, and cost-saving technologies.
It also creates,
protects, and utilizes intellectual property strategically to make fulfill the agricultural
potential.
In this stage, it is strongly expected that Seed will contribute to achieve this
goal.
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Revitalization of rural areas
The rural areas serve as a foundation for the sustainable development of agriculture,
forestry,
and fisheries. They also
play a role in the provision of employment opportunities and the fulfillment of multifunctionality. The
government
promotes local creativities to revitalize rural areas, revive local economies, and expand employment
opportunities.
Regarding the reinforcing the links among agriculture, commerce and manufacturing
industry, the government facilitates
new rural businesses including promoting the sales of local products and the development of new local
products. It also
aims to develop human resources and utilize local resources to revitalize local economies. In addition,
harmonious
co-existence and interactions between urban and rural areas, and the establishment of new farm stands
are
promoted.
Moreover, the government pays part of the costs for training programs for job seekers
aiming to learn technical know-how
and business management techniques provided by agricultural production corporations to increase the
number
of new
employment in the primary industry. Concerning the promotion of Japanese food export, the government has
set
a target of
the export value up to 1 trillion yen by 2013. To achieve this target, the government upgrades the
export
environment
and supports highly-motivated farmers, fishermen, food processors and exporters.
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Promotion of resources and
environmental measures
The government will work on the improvement of agricultural soil as the function of soil organic carbon stock and the visualization of greenhouse gas reduction effect in the primal industry. It will also develop the sustainable biofuel production technologies which use nonfood resources including rice straws, thinned timber and waste wood. In addition, the conservation of biodiversity in the primal industry will be promoted.
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