How Japan is helping developing countries through agricultural assistance

Economic development and job opportunities are crucial for any society. While the Coronavirus has caused economic damage in Japan and worldwide, Japan is in a fortunate position as the world’s third-largest economy.

Over the years, Japan has been generous with assistance to foreign countries. Its total foreign aid amounted to 15.5 billion USD in 2019. The country has assisted with many fields, including education and infrastructure.

Japan contributes to developing countries’ agriculture

One notable way Japan has helped developing countries, in particular, is with agriculture and food. This is through both government and private sector efforts. The government’s Japan International Cooperation Agency provides technical and financial assistance to developing countries.

The organization has also helped countries directly with agricultural planning and technology. For example, in 2011, JICA worked together with government officials in South Sudan to develop an agricultural master plan for that country. This included information gathering and analysis through surveys. In Asia, JICA has also helped Vietnam develop new kinds of rice that are pest resistant and have shorter cultivation periods.

Besides agricultural assistance to developing countries, Japan has also provided other food-related aid, creating opportunities for those in need. In 2020, the Japanese government-funded a project for Syrian refugees in Turkey and local Turkish communities to develop new food and agricultural sources of income. All participants were women who received training in establishing their own cooperatives to sell their products.

Private companies sharing their expertise in farm tech and more

Private companies are also investing in agriculture in other countries. Tokyo-based startup Amegumi develops smartphones aimed at businesses. Since 2020, they have been supporting farmers in Rwanda and India by distributing smartphones to them. The smartphones allow farmers to get up-to-date information on things like market prices and the weather.

Degas is another Tokyo startup helping farmers. It provides high-quality agricultural materials and knowledge to farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Over 3,000 farmers have joined their network since 2019, and the company says that many have doubled their productivity. Degas also offers help to poor farmers who don’t have credit and may not be able to afford their materials. The company set up a system in which farmers can repay them for the materials with 20% of their yield.

In some cases, the government and private sector have worked together to provide assistance. As part of J-Methods Farming project in western India, Japan’s agricultural ministry made joint efforts with agricultural companies to help boost demand for Japanese farming products and technology in the country. In 2019, a test field was set up to show the effectiveness of fertilizers, chemicals and seed. Private companies were requested to provide materials and machines for the field.

Economic growth and decent jobs for a better future

Japan’s involvement in food and agriculture in developing countries has taken many forms, from generous foreign aid to private investment and business opportunities. The aid, know-how and technology provided give people the means and the skills to become more productive and to better provide for themselves and their communities through living-wage jobs. The assistance Japan gives can improve the employment and financial situation of people all over the world.