Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and Nippon Biodiesel Fuel Co., Ltd. (NBF), set up a co-exhibition booth with the theme "Building Sustainable Food and Agriculture Systems: Case Studies of Implementation in Africa" at the G7 Miyazaki Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting (April 22-23, 2023), one of the ministerial meetings at the G7 Hiroshima Summit.

This joint exhibition was realized at the invitation of MAFF as an opportunity to introduce the initiatives of the "Human Resource Development for Establishment of Food Value Chain’" (December 2022 - March 2023).”　The initiative was implemented jointly by SAA and NBF as part of MAFF's project based on the Agriculture Innovation Platform in Africa (AIPA) Initiative, which was adopted as the Yokohama Plan of Actions at TICAD 7.

The joint booth showcased MAFF's three initiatives for achieving food security in Africa: "Improving Agricultural Productivity," "Fighting Climate Change," and "Improving Nutrition," as well as the NBF's "Crop Trading and Matching Service Business," which is a digital replica of the Japanese agricultural cooperative model being promoted in Mozambique and other parts of Africa. SAA's long-standing intervention in improved agricultural technology transfer and human resource development for extension workers and smallholder farmers, as well as its partnerships with host governments where SAA works, international organizations, research institutions, universities, and private sectors were also introduced at the booth.

Briefing to IFAD President Dr. Alvaro Lario who visited the booth

During the Ministerial Meeting, major challenges related to agriculture and food such as global food security and sustainable agriculture were discussed. The exhibition booths attracted government officials from G7 countries, representatives from international organizations, exhibitors, citizens, and media, resulting in a lively exchange of ideas. Some local university students who showed an interest in African agriculture and international cooperation were also present, and the event provided them with an opportunityto gain a better understanding of Africa, especially among the younger generation in Japan.

SAA will continue to support agricultural development in Africa and contribute to sustainable food production by working with the Japanese government and NBF to provide agricultural technology transfer and human resource development to developing countries.

Sasakawa Africa Association

Explaining our activities to local university students interested in international cooperation

【Official Website】

Nippon Biodiesel Fuel Co., Ltd.  https://nbf-web.com/en/top/

G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting  https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/inter_relate/230308.html