The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Government of Japan has partnered with the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) to implement ‘Capacity Building Project for Farmer’s Organizations to support the development of Food Value Chain in Asia and Africa – in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 of Japan for three years starting 2020. The project comprises of four programmes:

• Programme-1: Training Course on Strengthening Management and Development of Agricultural Cooperatives and Farmers’ Organizations in Asia and Africa.
• Programme-2: Training Course on Empowering of Rural Women for Improvement of their Leadership and Business and Management in Asia and Africa.
• Programme-3: Training Course on Strengthening of Marketing through Improvement of Quality of Farm Produce and Expansion of Marketing Channels.
• Programme-4: Follow-up Guidance and Survey of Ex-participants

The training course on “Empowerment of Rural Women for Improvement of their Leadership and Business Management in Asia and Africa-2021” was launched online on 9 August 2021. The objective of the programme is to assist the capacity building of leaders of rural women and enhance their business management abilities for more organized activities and participation in agri-business in Asia and Africa. 15  participants from nine countries – India, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Lao PDR and Vietnam in Asia and Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania in Africa are undertaking the programme. Part-I was organised in collaboration with the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM) from 9 to 18 August. Part-II of the programme was conducted by the Institute for the Development of Agricultural Cooperation in Asia (IDACA), Japan from 20 August to 13 September 2021. The participants were taken through sessions and case studies on women entrepreneurship and women-related initiatives in livelihood creation and micro-enterprise management.

The programme concluded on 13 September 2021 and was attended by Dr. Sifa Chiyoge, Regional Director, ICA-Africa, Dr. Hema Yadav, Director, VAMNICOM, Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer, Regional Director, ICA-AP, Mr. Shinada Toshiyuki, Dy. Director, MAFF, and Mr. Kobayashi Herofumi, Executive Director, IDACA, Mr. Ashok Taneja, Programme Coordinator, ICA-AP, and all participants. Mr. Baba Toshihiko, Sr. Executive Director, JA-Zenchu shared his wishes via a video message.  Ms. Anita Panda, a participant from India delivered the vote of thanks after the e-certificate distribution to all participants by Mr. Herofumi.

The training course on “Strengthening of Marketing through Improvement of Quality of Farm Produce and Expansion of Marketing Channels” will be held from 23 November to 17 December in collaboration with IDACA, Japan.  This course aims to contribute to the development of agricultural cooperatives and the improvement in the life of the members by involving them in the food value chain. This will be achieved by strengthening businesses from an industry point of view in Southeast Asian and  South Asian economies.

The course will be undertaken by 15 participants from Southeast Asian and African countries. Stay tuned!