Official Development Assistance (ODA)

Under the "Development Cooperation Charter" adopted by a Cabinet Decision in February 2015, Japan prioritizes the eradication of poverty through "quality growth" in developing countries and the creation of a sustainable and resilient international society. It will take necessary action to foster the agricultural, forestry, and fishery industries—including the establishment of food value chains—and to solve global issues such as food security and nutrition.

As part of this action, in the short term, Japan will provide food aid to developing countries facing food shortages. In the medium to long term, from the viewpoint of eliminating and preventing the causes of famine and other food problems, it will support the development of cultivars—the prerequisites for agricultural production—and the drafting of policies necessary to improve agricultural productivity, the development of irrigation facilities, farm roads and other infrastructure, the dissemination of production technology, and the strengthening of local organizations. In addition, it will also provide support for the food value chain as a whole, including promoting food sales, market distribution, and agricultural processing in rural areas.

CGIAR is an international organization whose work includes developing human resources, proposing policy, and conducting international agricultural research and development, with the aim of increasing food production in developing countries and improving the sustainable productivity of their agricultural, forestry, and fishery industries. Headquartered in France, it has 15 research centers located all around the world.

With many countries, Japan among them, and international organizations, private foundations, etc. involved, CGIAR has the world's largest research network—and a wealth of research experience and technology—in the fields of climate change, nutritional improvement, environmental issues, biodiversity, and the agricultural, forestry, and fishery industries. Approximately 50 Japanese researchers belong to it.

Food demand is soaring with the increasing global population, and a 60% increase in food production is going to be necessary by 2050 (FAO/OECD estimate). In the face of such a challenge, international agricultural research and development will be the most important means of achieving the innovative improvements in agricultural productivity necessary to ensure a stable supply of food on a global scale. Japan is able to contribute effectively to the achievement of the SDGs by combining and promoting its knowledge and experience.

Specifically, Japanese researchers have been providing guidance, etc. on the development and cultivation of Nerica rice, a cultivar created by crossbreeding Asian and African rice, in order to meet the growing demand for rice worldwide.

As part of its TICAD7 activities, Japan has set as its next goal doubling rice production in Sub-Saharan Africa (from 28 million tons to 56 million tons) by 2030 through the "Coalition for African Rice Development" (CARD). Through CGIAR, it is also promoting research aimed at expanding rice production.

• Action by Japan in recent years includes the following:
  • A project aimed at reducing loss of vegetables and other fresh foods in Nigeria, by providing agricultural guidance and establishing a cold chain using Japanese technology
  • A project aimed at rebuilding the basis for fishing village life in Côte d'Ivoire, by introducing Japan's traditional surimi processing technology
  • A project aimed at improving nutrition for children in Ghana and promoting their growth, by providing nutritional supplements for weaning children and offering education and guidance on nutrition

Headquartered in Rome, IFAD is a specialized agency of the United Nations whose objective is to provide loans under concessional terms and conditions to support agricultural development in developing countries.

It has over 170 member countries, one of which is Japan. The members provide financing with a focus on sectors that will contribute to achieving Goals 1 (No poverty) and 2 (Zero hunger) of the SDGs, such as improving agricultural technology and productivity, supporting rural financial services, taking measures against climate change, supporting agribusinesses, and developing value chains. These loans are mainly provided to countries in Asia and Africa.

Through IFAD, Japan participates in the "Initiative for Food and Nutrition Security in Africa" (IFNA) and "Coalition for African Rice Development" (CARD), whose launch was helmed by JICA. Japan also provides financial support for research and other activities aimed at promoting Asian-African cooperation on rice farming, and is also supporting three initiatives in Africa. Among these is "Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment & Promotion" (SHEP).

With a focus on the above initiatives, Japan will continue to actively cooperate with IFAD toward developing value chains, strengthening each country's governmental capacity, and promoting South-South cooperation.