Ainokai hosts pro-small farmer marketing and trading seminar-workshop

A seminar-workshop entitled “Developing AFA’s Concept on Pro-Small Farmer Marketing and Trading” was held in Aichi and Mie, Japan last July 3-10, 2006, hosted by Ainokai, an AFA member in Japan, in partnership with AFA, AsiaDHRRA, and JaDHRRA.

Twenty-six (26) representatives, staff, and interpreters from eight (8) farmer organizations in eight (8) countries attended the event. The AFA members who participated were KAFF (Korea), SorKorPor (Thailand), PAKISAMA (Philippines), API (Indonesia), TWADA (Taiwan), VNFU (Vietnam), FNN (Cambodia), and Ainou-kai (Japan). They were joined by Marlene Ramirez, AsiaDHRRA Secretary General, and Miren Larrea Olaberria, from the Cooperation Desk of World Rural Forum (WRF).

During the event, AFA outlined the principles, guidelines and immediate action points in AFA’s concept on engaging in pro-small farmer marketing and trading. One of the principles that can be adopted is the direct producer and consumer relationship, as in the case of small farmers’ groups forming an alliance with consumer groups to negotiate the product items, quality, quantity, etc. Another is the principle of producing in an ecologically sound way to provide safe, sanitary, diversified, and chemical residue-free products that are also rich in local cultural characteristics.

The development of AFA’s concept paper on engaging in pro-small farmer marketing and trading is part of the 2006-2010 strategic plan of AFA, which includes the provision of programs and services to members in the area of alternative/fair trade. AFA hopes to implement pilot projects on alternative /fair trade in the near future.

Most of the participants were impressed by the relationship between producers and consumers that they saw in the Ainokai distribution center as well as the initiative of Ainokai high school to promote agriculture among the young.

“We picked-up a lot of ideas on how to build relations between consumers and producers at farm level,” said Paw of SorKorPor.

“The way that Aino high school is engaging in educating the young people for sustainable agriculture development is really moving,” said Chin-Shieng of TWADA.

Many were also able to identify learnings that can immediately be put to action.

“I think we can already start to consolidate what are the available products to be marketed and form a steering committee to brainstorm on marketing strategy in preparation for trade initiative of AFA,” said Ka Rene of PAKISAMA.

“I will share all these information with the farmer committee and FA committee at the local level and cluster level and encourage everyone to do it together,” said Vannoth of FNN.

“We can adopt the proper organic farming technology we saw in the field,” said Nuruddin of API.

Through the presentation of AsiaDHRRA Program Officer Ma. Elena Rebagay, AFA members were able to increase their understanding of the existing practices, issues, concerns, prospects and challenges in marketing and trading of agricultural products of small farmers from developing countries.

They were able to learn about the initiatives on alternative marketing and distribution system of environmentally friendly farm products particularly in Japan through the inputs of the following speakers: Mr. Hayashiguti, Director Fair Trade Company (on fair trade); Mr. Harada, Ainokai (on direct selling station); Ms. Watanabe Kana, Representative of Seikyo Club (on the seikyo model); and Mr. Ikeno, Director of Aino Distribution Center (on the distribution system started from the teikei system).

Through the field visits, the participants were able to see the following: a farm using advanced agricultural technology, Aino organic product direct distribution center, Ainokai and Ainokai agricultural high school, and Moku-moku leisure farm. This was supplemented by more inputs from the following speakers: Mr. Yamamoto, Secretary General of Ainokai (on Ainokai); Ms. Michiko Koizumi, Music Teacher of Aino High School (on Aino High School); and, Mr. Kukano, Teacher of Ainou High School (on JAS Japanese Organic Certification System); and Mr. Hashimoto, former IFOAM Asian Director (workshop observer).