IDACA NEWS

New Year's Greetings 2006

　・A Happy and Prosperous New Year!

▷ Kazuo Tsukada Becomes IDACA's New Executive Director

REPORTS ON TRAINING COURSES & SEMINAR

　・The Course on the Role of Agricultural Cooperatives in Activation of Rural Economy II

　・Hosting IDACA Field Study

　・27th RECA Seminar

　・5th ICA-Japan Training Course for Rural Women Leaders

　・A Message from Katsuko Sato, Chairperson, Yamagata Prefectural Council of JA Woman's Associations

　・A Message from Norie Endo, Director, National Council of JA Woman's Associations

　・ Training Course on the Intensification Program for Farmers' Organization

　・Courses for Middle Cadre Technicians from China /Promotion of Agricultural Cooperatives for China

WTO AGRICULTURAL NEGOTIATIONS AND JA Group

　・Closing Ranks with Developing Counries

　・Position of Japanese Farmers on Market Access Pillar in WTO Agricultural Negotiations

　・JA Group Rallies to Voice No to Tariff Cap

　・40,000 Sign Up to Back Japan Proposal to WTO

　・A Rally on WTO Talks Demands Agriculture Diversify

▷ LETTER FROM EX-PARTICIPANT (BY E-MAIL)

▷ JA Group Sends Relief to Tsunami-Ravaged Sri Lanka

▷ Japan Sends Relief to Victims of Earthquake (off the coast of Sumatra) and Tsunami

REPORTS ON TRAINING COURSES & SEMINAR

　・The 19th ICA-Japan Training Course on 'Strengthening Management of Agri Coops in Asia'

　・Program for Community Leader Development in Agricultural Cooperatives

WTO AGRICULTURAL NEGOTIATIONS AND JA Group

　・Asian Farmers' Group for Cooperation Holds 7th Regular Meeting in Seoul

▷ LETTER FROM EX-PARTICIPANT (BY E-MAIL)

▷ Plan of Training Program in FY 2005

▷ A Happy and Prosperous New Year!

▷ Greeting from Managing Director of IDACA

▷ The Year 2004 in Retrospect

▷ Damage Relief Measures

REPORTS ON TRAINING COURSES & SEMINAR

　・4th ICA-Japan Training Course for Strengthening Women's Agricultural Cooperatives in Rural Areas and Improvement of Farm Management and Rural Life

　・Distribution and Marketing of Agricultural Products for NACF

　・Training Course for Middle Cadre Technicians,Training Course on Promotion of Agricultural Cooperatives for China

On Agricultural Cooperative Movement in Romania

　・On Agricultural Cooperative Movement in Romania

WTO AGRICULTURAL NEGOTIATIONS AND JA Group

　・WTO Agricultural Negotiations and JA Group Talks in 2004

　・Evaluation of Japanese Farmers on the Framework Agreement of WTO Agricultural Negotiations

　・Improvement of Quality of Life and Development of Sustainable Agriculture should be Pursued in FTA Negotiations Among Countries in Asian Monsoon Region

▷ Growing International Exchange Activities by JA Group at a Grass-root Level

▷ Reunion Program in Indonesia 2004

▷ Short-term Experts Dispatched to Push Along for Fostering Coops. in Romania

REPORTS ON TRAINING COURSES

　・18th ICA/Japan Training Course on Strengthening Management of Agricultural Cooperatives in Asia

　・Training Course on the Role of Agricultural Cooperatives to be Played in Activation of Rural Economy 2004

　・Training Course on Organizing Agricultural Cooperatives and Business System in Romania

　・RECA Seminar

▷ New Secretary-General of ARRDO Visits IDACA on March

▷ Record Typhoons Hit with Serious Damages to Crops

▷ Annual Report on FY2003 (Summary)

▷ Business Plan for FY2004

Mr. Harada, Former President of JA Zenchu and IDACA , awarded the Decoration in 2003

Mr. Harada, former president of JA Zenchu and IDACA, was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star in autumn, 2003 as one who has rendered a long-term distinguished service for Japan's agricultural promotion through the agricultural cooperative movement, for which he has gained high reputation.

Mr. Harada, assuming the post of president of JA Zenchu from 1996 to 2003, performed his heavy duty by exercising his strong leadership such as for enactment of the new basic law on agriculture, orientation and promotion of agricultural cooperative movement centering on the concept of symbiosis, and establishment of JA Bank system. And during the same tenure as president of JA Zenchu, he also made a great contribution to international cooperation as president of IDACA.

On December 18, 2003, a celebration was held for his award at a hotel in Tokyo, in the presence of more than 500 guests such as Minister of MAFF, JA people and distinguished representatives of the sectors concerned. Mr. Harada expressed his delight for his award saying, "I have been supported by many people in the course of my life. In this sense I have lived and have been lived with their supports and I would not have been able to stand on my own without their supports, which lead to the award. So a thousand of emotions crowd on me", and also encouraged JA officials and staff stressing the importance of 'Mutual help spirit'.