Project News

Two Project counterparts (C/P) traveled to Japan to participate in a training program, from June 2 to August 5, entitled "Silvoagricultural Extension and Rural Development".  The trainees are Mr. Juvencio Kantule, in charge of participatory development, and Mr. Alexander Pimental, in charge of both technical extension and administration.

The training program began at JICA's Tsukuba Center where the trainees learned about Japan's forestry plan, watershed management system and secondary forest conservation.  Next, for approximately 3 weeks, the trainees stayed at a NPO corporation known as a "nature school" in the town of Kanra of Gunma Prefecture.  There they learned a wide range of topics, through lectures, practice and visits, including the history of extension activities in Japan and the changes in rural life after the second World War; the current situation of farm administration; the processing and sales system for agricultural products; and environmental education in Oze National Park.

(Photo 1: left) At the nature school; Mr. Kintule is on the left and Mr. Alexander is on the right. In the center is Mr. Arai, staff from the nature school. (July 11, 2009)
(Photo 2: right) Mr. Alexander learns how to drive a tractor on sloped land. (July 12, 2009)

(Photo 3: left) At the Shiraishi farm, trainees experience checking onions before their shipment. (July 14, 2009)
(Photo 4: right) The trainees visited JA Kanra Tomioka early in the morning to learn about the collection and sales system for fresh produce. (July 19, 2009)

At the end of July, they visited a successful example of the famous "colorful food decoration" business that brought regional development to Kamikatsu town in Tokushima Prefecture.  Both trainees earnestly asked questions about how to identify local resources in a mountainous region, the procedure for securing the understanding and participation of local inhabitants and other such topics.  Not only did they learn about the practical side of a business, but they also deepened their understanding and made discoveries about the cultural and organizational factors behind a successful business.

(Photo 5: left) On-hand experience of growing "shiitake" mushrooms at a mushroom farm in a mountainous region. (July 26, 2009)
(Photo 6: right) At the "colorful food decoration" business in the town of Kamikatsu of Tokushima Prefecture. The trainees ask the women how they prepare the leaves of the "nanten" tree for shipping. (July 30, 2009)

On the last week, the trainees prepared and presented their "Action Plan" in Japan. This is their plan for introducing what they learned in Japan into our Project activities. The Japanese experts will support both trainees, who are in charge of different components, so that they may make full use of the knowledge they acquired and apply it in their daily activities.

(Mr. Taku MORI, Farmland Use Plan / Extension)