Japan's Official Development Assistance White Paper 2007
Next PageMain Text > Part II ODA DISBURSEMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005 > Chapter 2 Details about Japan's ODA > Section 2. Measures for Each of the Priority Issues > 2. Support for Social Development > (4) Agricultural and Rural Support/Fisheries
(4) Agricultural and Rural Support/Fisheries
<Record for FY2006>
In FY2006 Japan provided approximately ¥14.6 billion in grant aid (to 30 countries) and approximately ¥98.6 billion in loan aid (to seven countries). Through technical cooperation it accepted 5,489 trainees and dispatched 454 experts and 289 JOCV. Included in the grant aid above, the Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers accounted for approximately ¥4.8 billion and Grant Aid for Fisheries for approximately ¥4.6 billion.
<Current Status>
Agricultural and rural development is essential in reducing poverty because in developing countries around 70% of the poor live in rural areas and make a living mainly on agriculture. Therefore, MDGs set the reduction of poverty and eradication of hunger as the main objectives, stating it will "halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of the world's people who suffer from hunger." The situation is especially grave in Africa. In Sub-Saharan Africa, it is said that approximately 200 million people, which corresponds to one third of the population, suffer from hunger.35 To resolve this issue, it is necessary for developing countries to develop a sustainable food supply system.
<Japan's Efforts>
Together with providing food assistance to developing countries faced with food shortages as a short-term effort to avoid a crisis, Japan is simultaneously carrying out assistance for mid- to long-term efforts to improve agricultural productivity in developing countries from the viewpoint of removing and preventing factors that are causing food problems, like famine.
Specifically, Japan has been implementing various forms of assistance, such as Grant Aid for Underprivileged Farmers which is designed to assist the self-help efforts of developing countries to improve food production for underprivileged and/or small-scale farmers; assistance through grant aid and yen loans to contribute to efforts such as developing irrigation facilities and improving distribution systems; technical cooperation by accepting trainees and dispatching experts and JOCV members for such purposes as improving agricultural technology and fostering farmers' organizations; and Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects for small-scale, community-level activities through NGOs.
The amount of assistance provided for the area of agriculture by Japan is high compared to global standards. According to the OECD-DAC data, the volume of Japan's assistance in the areas of agriculture and fisheries in 2005 was approximately ¥110.9 billion, the greatest among DAC countries, accounting for approximately 32% of all assistance given to this area.36
Japan also actively provides assistance in the area of agriculture through such international organizations as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Chart II-17. Disbursements in the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Sectors by Region
<Utilization of Japan's Expertise>
Japan provides assistance for the development of low-cost, water-saving terminal irrigation facilities and the organization of farmers so they may take charge of the operation and maintenance of such facilities themselves. The purpose of such assistance is to secure a stable water supply for agriculture and promote efficient water use.
In FY2006 Japan implemented technical cooperation related to fostering farmer-participatory water management organizations and capacity development in the paddy field zones in Viet Nam, Cambodia, and other countries in the Asian monsoon region. Japan contributed to sustainable agriculture and rural development there in both hard and soft ways, taking advantage of its knowledge and experience on the farmer-participatory water management organizations (Land Improvement District system). In Thailand, farmers' water management organizations have been set up with Japan's assistance, referring to the Land Improvement Districts. Farmers have begun to take charge of management and make efforts to use water efficiently.
<Collaboration with International organizations>
Japan also advances "Integrated Agricultural and Rural Development" cooperation in collaboration with international organizations. Local residents participate in project, which involves formulating development plans for rural areas and developing infrastructure such as on-farm ditches and farm roads. Specifically, Japanese experts provide direct assistance in both hard and soft ways to the local farmers. It includes the formulation of plans for land and water use through farmers' participation, establishment and enhancement of farmers' organization for managing facilities and sharing farming equipment, development of on-farm ditches and farm roads by means of farmers' labor on the premise that the donor would provide the necessary materials, and establishment of a fund designed for operation and maintenance of facilities. This Integrated Agricultural and Rural Development does not only bring about direct effects to the farmers, but is also a useful cooperative method in inducing and promoting the self-help efforts of the local governments, as well as the farmers.
For FY2006, Japan implemented capacity building for regional administrative personnel and farmers in Mongolia. In conjunction with this, Japan has initiated a study to formulate a model plan for farming that uses land in a way conducive to agriculture, rural development, and preventing soil deterioration. These efforts were made using methods of agricultural and rural development.
<Support for the Development and Dissemination of NERICA>
Japan provides support for the development and dissemination of New Rice for Africa (NERICA), which is one of the concrete effort for increasing the agricultural productivity of Africa. In addition to assisting the activities of the Africa Rice Center (WARDA),37 which is the center of NERICA development, Japan provides assistance for dissemination projects through the UNDP and FAO. In addition, since June 2004 Japan has dispatched technical experts on NERICA dissemination to Uganda, and has thereby been promoting its dissemination in East Africa. As a result, not only has the cultivation surface area for NERICA expanded in Uganda, Guinea, and Cote d'Ivoire, but the cultivation of NERICA has begun in their surrounding countries as well. The cultivation surface area for NERICA was claimed to be about 200,000 hectares as of 2006.38 However, even Uganda, in which the dissemination of NERICA is relatively advanced, has several challenges which need to be addressed. These include issues of post-harvest processing such as the shortage of rice-cleaning mills, fostering human resources concerned with rice cultivation, and the establishment of auxiliary irrigation methods as a countermeasure to drought. Japan will continue to cooperate with international agencies, NGOs, and other concerned parties in order to expand rice production in African countries through the dissemination of NERICA, and improve its distribution, thereby contributing to food security in Africa.
Sowing NERICA in Uganda (Photo: JICA)
<Combating Desertification in Agricultural Area>
The issue of desertification has received attention as an important global challenge. It is also an issue for the agriculture sectors as well. Rain-fed agricultural zones which rely on natural rain water for farming are widely distributed throughout developing countries and comprise 85% of the agricultural areas in the world. However, as a result of overgrazing and overcultivation brought about by rapid population increases and poverty, the soil in agricultural land is deteriorating and desertification is progressing. In December 1998 Japan became a party to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and has promised to provide proactive and efficient assistance to developing countries. As of the present, Japan has carried out efforts to combat desertification in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and recently it has been providing support to Ethiopia and Mongolia as well. Among these regional efforts, Japan has developed various types of "technical manuals" for agriculture and rural development. This was accomplished after determining the state of desertification and analyzing its causes, as well as conducting trials on experimental agricultural fields at sites where the desertification has markedly advanced.
<Measures in the Area of Fisheries>
Through Grant Aid for Fisheries, Japan contributes to developing the fisheries industries in the concerned developing countries from the standpoint of promoting friendly relations between said countries and itself in the fishing industry. It also develops infrastructure related to the fisheries industry and provides training equipment for fishery training centers. In addition to technical cooperation related to fisheries and aquaculture industries, it also provides assistance by means of Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects for improving the livelihood of small fishermen through local fishery corporations. In terms of assistance through regional international organizations, Japan offers assistance to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in the development of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture industries within the ASEAN region, which has been highly appreciated by ASEAN members.
Column 8 Towards Environmentally Friendly Rural Development Using Charcoal
— Bach Ma National Park, Viet Nam —
Results of Cooperation in the Fisheries Sector
Through the Project for Construction of Vieux Fort Fishery Complex which was implemented in St. Lucia from FY1997-1998, a fishing harbor (catch landing wharf, breakwater, etc.), freight handling area, retail market, and other facilities were developed. As a result, Vieux Fort's catch landing volume, despite having its year to year ups and downs, is on an increasing trend at an average. This has contributed to raising the fishery production of St. Lucia's major catch landing site.
In addition, in FY2006 Japan approved the implementation of ¥1.285 billion in grant aid for the Project for Improvement of Fisheries-related Roads in South Tarawa in Kiribati. In this project, repairs will be conducted on approximately 10.6km of roads in Southern Tarawa's Betio District, Bairiki District, and Bikenibeu District, among other activities. It is anticipated that the repairs will promote the fisheries industry by stimulating traffic and distribution.
Through the Project for Construction of Vieux Fort Fishery Complex which was implemented in St. Lucia from FY1997-1998, a fishing harbor (catch landing wharf, breakwater, etc.), freight handling area, retail market, and other facilities were developed. As a result, Vieux Fort's catch landing volume, despite having its year to year ups and downs, is on an increasing trend at an average. This has contributed to raising the fishery production of St. Lucia's major catch landing site.
In addition, in FY2006 Japan approved the implementation of ¥1.285 billion in grant aid for the Project for Improvement of Fisheries-related Roads in South Tarawa in Kiribati. In this project, repairs will be conducted on approximately 10.6km of roads in Southern Tarawa's Betio District, Bairiki District, and Bikenibeu District, among other activities. It is anticipated that the repairs will promote the fisheries industry by stimulating traffic and distribution.