Japan Agricultural Cooperatives Give Employment Opportunities through Farming

Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA) Shimabara-Unzen in Nagasaki Prefecture announced on July 17, 2009, that a new project of Nagasaki Nouentai had been launched. "Nouentai" refers to a group of people who provide agricultural assistance. The project is part of an emergency employment measure commissioned by the Nagasaki Prefectural Government to hire displaced workers or those who are interested in farming through "Hello Work" job-placement offices. JA Shimabara-Unzen hired 36 Nouentai members, which is the largest number among JAs in the prefecture.

The Nagasaki Nouentai project is aimed at securing workers to expand the agricultural business of the JA member farmers as well as encouraging newly-employed workers to have a better understanding of agriculture, acquire agricultural techniques and become farmers in the future. The JA also expects this project to boost crop sales, support elderly farmers, assist in recoveries after natural disasters, and offer a helping hand to member farmers who are sick or injured.

The kick-off ceremony to celebrate the launch of the Nouentai was held at the headquarters of JA Shimabara-Unzen on July 13, 2009, with approximately 70 people attending, including the Nouentai members. On behalf of other Nouentai members, 22 year-old Tatsuya Matsuo pledged their active involvement in local agriculture, saying that all the members would work bring a positive attitude towards their work with the farmers and try to bring new life to local agricultural activity.

Posted: 2009/10/21 06:00:15 AM