## (4) Agriculture

In developing countries, three out of four poor people live in rural areas, and most of them make a living on agriculture. The MDGs identify “eradicate extreme

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Japan emphasizes cooperation in the agricultural sector for reducing poverty, and actively works to address food problems as a global issue. Japan promotes food assistance for developing countries which are faced with food shortages over the short-term, as well as efforts to support ownership of developing countries for the development of sustainable agriculture in the medium to long-term.

Specifically, Japan uses its experience and expertise in providing support for rice cultivation techniques and for the organization of farmers, while also developing infrastructure such as irrigation facilities. Moreover, it also supports the dissemination of production techniques and research and development, such as New Rice for Africa (NERICA) in Africa. In addition, it also provides support through international organizations (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Consultative poverty and hunger” as one of their goals. Agricultural and rural development is essential in reducing poverty through sustainable economic growth.

Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), World Food Programme (WFP), etc.). Furthermore, the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) (Note 20) initiative was announced at a side event to TICAD IV, which was held in 2008. At present, it provides rice cultivation support to 23 countries, including support for the development of country rice cultivation strategies.

Moreover, at the expanded meeting on food security at the G8 L'Aquila Summit in July 2009, Japan announced that it was prepared to provide assistance of at least US$3 billion or so over three years from 2010 to 2012 in agriculture-related sectors, including infrastructure. In particular, Japan emphasizes assistance in a wide range of areas from production through distribution and sales, including the development and management of water and agricultural resources at the production stage, and transport, stockpiling, and the establishment of ports at the distribution stage.

## Emergency grant aid program for the victims of the large-scale earthquake in Haiti

The large-scale earthquake which occurred in January 2010 caused major damage in all of southern Haiti, including the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Support is urgently required to ensure agricultural reconstruction in areas affected by the earthquake and in rural areas where many have evacuated, and thereby, ensure food security in Haiti. For this reason, Japan, through the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), is providing emergency assistance in agricultural production to communities that are accepting families and refugees affected by the large-scale earthquake. Specifically, Japan strives to increase food production and improve agricultural incomes through the sale of agricultural products, by providing technical guidance and agricultural production materials, including approximately 570 tons of seeds and 60,000 sets of agricultural machinery. This assistance is expected to contribute to improving the food security situation, and in the long-term, a shift will be made from emergency assistance to development and reconstruction assistance.