LDP considering national ’farming MBA’ program as part of TPP policy
The Mainichi | 11 November 2015
LDP considering national ’farming MBA’ program as part of TPP policy
The government may support "MBA in agriculture" programs across Japan as part of domestic agricultural policies to prepare for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact.
The idea was revealed by Shinjiro Koizumi, director of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Agriculture and Forestry Division, on Nov. 10, and will be included in the ruling party’s agriculture policy for the TPP set to be finalized on Nov. 17.
"Can we not consider a master of business administration for agriculture?" Koizumi told reporters after a Nov. 10 meeting on forestry and farming issues. "I would like to create a foundation of professional farm operators through a course of classroom learning and practical experience, and thereby increase the number of profitable farming businesses," he continued.
There are several business programs aimed at farming in Japan already, both private and operated by local governments, including one run by Nagano Prefecture. However, there is no consolidated nation-wide program in agricultural business management. The plan now under consideration by the LDP is designed to create such a government-sponsored program with the aim of creating a cohort of well managed farm businesses. Unlike an actual MBA, however, program participants would not receive master’s degrees from a graduate school.
The volume of cheap imported food products entering Japan is expected to rise sharply if the TPP goes into force, and the pressure is now on for Japanese farmers to boost their competitiveness. The LDP’s agriculture policy measures dealing with the free trade deal are expected to be reflected in the party’s overall TPP policy outline, to be finalized as early as Nov. 25.
