Democratic farmers' organization calls for social solidarity to revitalize agriculture

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Democratic farmers' organization calls for social solidarity to revitalize agriculture

The National Confederation of Farmers' Movement (Nouminren), which marks its 20th anniversary this year, held its 18th Regular Convention from January 20 to 22 in Tokyo and unanimously adopted its action program calling for replacing government policies that put people's livelihoods and agriculture at risk and establishing food sovereignty.

Under the slogan, "Nouminren is present wherever people experiencing hardships have demands," about 400 delegates from all 47 prefectures spoke about their experiences that include struggles against the government's policy undermining agriculture, movements for reducing heavy tax burdens, and movements calling for local consumption of local products that are safe and reliable.

In the closing session, Nouminren Secretary General Sasawatari Yoshikazu said, "Delegates' remarks were often filled us both with laughter and tears. I am sure that all delegates will proudly reflect on this convention as the 20^th anniversary convention."

In the concluding remarks, Sasawatari pointed out that revitalization of agriculture mainly based on financial support for products should be realized through the struggle demanding a minimum wage increase, cancellation of dismissals of, and refusal to renew contracts for, contingent workers, and improvement in social welfare.

Sasawatari also called on participants to make the utmost effort to force a change in the government's policy on agriculture by taking advantage of the upcoming general election.

Pointing out that Nouminren insisted that "food sovereignty" was incorporated into a joint appeal adopted by the four opposition parties' emergency rally, Nouminren President Shiraishi Jun'ichi in the opening speech stated, "Let's make a joint effort to change the government's agriculture policy in order to raise the food self-sufficiency rate and establish food sovereignty,."

On the first day of the convention, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo attended and called on participants to join together to revitalize agriculture nationwide (see separate item).

The convention re-elected Shiraishi as president and Sasawatari as secretary general.

- Akahata, January 21?23, 2009