Associacao Nipo-Brasileira; Japanese power regenerates nature of Amazon - "Agroforestry," agriculture that cultivates forest -

Screening the material at the exhibition in Overseas Emigration Museum in Kobe City

Screening the material at the exhibition in Overseas Emigration Museum in Kobe City

Since August 1st till November 1st, 2020, the exhibition "Japanese power saves Amazon! What Japanese have brought to Amazon?" (Japanese) (external link) had been held in Overseas Emigration Museum located in Kobe Center for Overseas Migration and Cultural Interaction (Japanese) (external link).

The exhibition was planned by Associacao Nipo-Brasileira (Japan-Brazil Association) (Japanese) (external link) and Kobe City to aspire to be rediscovered of Japanese fundamental power against visitors through the exhibits. It traced the history of Japanese immigrants to Amazon who had struggled with much hardship, and introduced an importance of environmental conservation in Amazon and Japanese contribution to Amazon: for example, Japanese satellite that shows power against illegal logging in Amazon for these years and Japanese forest farming method "Agroforestry" that draws attentions as the way saving nature of Amazon.

As one of the exhibits to introduce "Agroforestry", we had screened JICA-Net multimedia-based learning material "'Agroforestry,' agriculture that cultivates forest - Producing in harmony with nature of the Amazon -".

"Agroforestry," agriculture that cultivates forest

Banana and Cacao, which are planted between Pepper. Banana's large leaf growing earlier will protect Cacao.

"Agroforestry" was created by Japanese farmer who immigrated to Tome-Azu in the east of Brazil and got an idea from life of local people living beside the river. It is the technology that can reforest with the planting of wide-ranged plant species together, sustain forest ecosystems, and bring stable income to farmers at the same time.

JICA-Net multimedia-based learning material "'Agroforestry,' agriculture that cultivates forest - Producing in harmony with nature of the Amazon -" (external link) introduces the concrete example of effort, development history of Agroforestry, facilitation of access to world market, and JICA's technical cooperation. This material is easy to understand its system and effects for people who have never listened the word of "Agroforestry".

Today, there is a major problem of deforestation with an excessive agricultural development in Amazon. And in the situation of the global warming becoming more serious in the world, "Agroforestry" that is environment-friendly and sustainable economically gains more and more public attentions.

As the material to help visitors get much understanding of the exhibition

The material had been screened all day long in the exhibition.

Because we have known that JICA has been involved in development of Amazon and Campo Cerrado, Brazil, we thought it was suitable to ask for cooperation with JICA to get information for this exhibition.

In the exhibition, 32 panels, 15 photographs of introducing Amazon, 7 images of Amazon development, and 2 satellite photographs given by JAXA were arranged. "'Agroforestry,' agriculture that cultivates forest - Producing in harmony with nature of the Amazon -" had been screened all day long and played a role to catch visitor's eye especially.

A group of college students came to the exhibition

1178 people had visited during the exhibition. Although we usually have over 1500 visitors in this sort of theme planning exhibition, we think the exhibition was very successful to have such many visitors in spite of the situation of COVID-19 where it was difficult to go out.We received the comment by the visitor that the material was very helpful to understand the importance of Amazon well and got a good feel that Japanese people understood enough how Japan contributed for environmental conservation in Amazon.

If we have a chance in the future, we would like to utilize JICA-Net multimedia-based learning materials actively in another exhibition.

MITA Yukihiko, HOSOE Kiyoshi
Associacao Nipo-Brasileira

*The Material(s) mainly applied

"Agroforestry," agriculture that cultivates forest - Producing in harmony with nature of the Amazon -

With global concern for the depletion of rain forests, we turn our attention to the technology of "Agroforestry," which can refer to simultaneous agriculture and forestry, or to a combination of forest preservation with farm management. This technology encourages the planting of tropical plants such as cacao, pepper, and passion fruit together in the rain forests, and enables management of farming while also sustaining forest ecosystems. Harvested crops are processed and exported to foreign markets. JICA has long been supporting the development and uptake of Agroforestry technology. This material explains in greater detail the history and technology of Agroforestry in the Amazon area, and aims to ensure the relevant persons understand Agroforestry.

• YouTube (external link)