Local News

In its FY2013 white paper, the Kyushu Agricultural Policy Bureau showcased regions where the so-called ‘sixth sector’, or partnerships between producers, processors and vendors, is flourishing. Promotion of these partnerships is considered vital to reenergizing agriculture amid the declining population of farmers. The report stressed that Kyushu is home to 318 sixth sector projects, the most in Japan, and has a solid foundation upon which new initiatives can be pursued. It also emphasized freshness and safety as key elements in sixth sector businesses, and recommended foraying into health foods and expanding exports to Asia. Note: ‘Sixth sector’ is a Japanese expression derived from 1(st sector) x 2 (nd sector) x 3 (rd sector) = 6(th sector) Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 7/1