Special Session: Women farmers as driving force by Eri Otsu, Heroines for Environment and Rural Support (HERS), Japan - Regional Expert Consultation on Underutilized Crops for Food and Nutritional Security in Asia and the Pacific November 13-15, 2017, Bangkok

1. Farmers women as
driving force
“women’s happiness” as important nutrition!
ERI OTSU
Heroines for Environment and Rural
Support (HERS)
Japan

2. About me
 Kota
Otsu （ 42 ）
 Born&grown up
in Kumamoto,
rural area of
Japan
 Only male in the
family
 Eri Otsu （ 43 ）
 Born in Germany
 Grown up in Tokyo
 Master of science at
Technical University of
Munich
 Model Farmer by FAO

3. Almost
middle of
Kyusyu
Island
Jap.average:
1.3 ha
5ha Paddy fields
(one harvest per year
20 red cattle + calfs

4. Farming with little farmers
(Traditional family owned farm)

5. ““modernization”
modernization”

6. Rapid economical growth

7. What rural community has lost through
economical growth

8. But rural area was and must haveBut rural area was and must have
potential to be sustainable andpotential to be sustainable and
rich in diversity!rich in diversity!
How can we put
more value to
rural area?

10. In Japan, farmers
women began their
action already
from 20 years ago
after rapid
economical growth

11. Since 2014, new era has begun
with young
board members.
Same aim with
modern technologies &
networking system

12. Farmers can produce both of them
HERS’s challenge ①
<Promotion of renewable energy in rural areas>

13. Bioenergy village ～ Germany
～
Population 770
10 farmers
1300 ha farm land
800 ha forests

14. Co-generation plant
Electricity →
sell to electricity
company
Biogas

15. District
Heating
Heat supply system
In:
80℃
Out:
50℃
District heating

16. Producing both agricultural products and renewable energy
Solar sharing systemJapan

17.  Seminars, work shops, conferences.
 online learning system for those
women who are busy with housework
and farming and taking care of family
 HERS power station!? ---not yet
Renewable energy supply is on of the key
“additional value” of rural area

18. HERS’s Challenge ②
<Empowerment of farmers women>
 Fashion show called “ WEAR
THE VIEW”
To give message that farmers
provide not only food but also
beautiful rural landscape

19. Fashion show empowered women.
Their laughter make rural area happier!
BRIGHTEN WOMEN LIGHT UP THE WORLD

20. HERS’s challenge ③
<Educating children>
 To bring up healthy children, rural
areas has huge potential.
 Encouraging young family to raise
their children in country side.
 Giving seminars, workshops,
symposium etc. to encourage local
citizens

21. HERS‘s challenge ④
<Succeeding and archiving
local techniques & wisdoms>
 Ensuring the traditional techniques
and wisdoms
 Building with local method
 Workshops to learn and archive
handworks, handcrafts, music,
dance, etc.

22. HERS‘s challenge ⑤
<agriculture x tourism>
 Agri-tourismus which may give
chance to local business.
 Seeking the way not to put too
much burden on farmers women.
 Good collaboration for farmers
and truism industry

23. • Seminars, Workshops and meeting toward
sustainable development
• Creating face-to-face grassroots networks
• Co-working event, agreement etc.
HERS’s challenge ⑥
<Bringing world together>

24. 1. Women are key to change the
situation (they are more
flexible!?)
2. Women are talented to make
“community”
3. Women are ready to take
actions for their children

25. In Japanese myth,
Amaterasu-Omikami is
seen as the
goddess of the sun,
but also of the univers.
“MANPOWER” TO “WOMANPOWER”
-WOMEN BRIGHT THE WORLD -

26. This is our duty to secure
rural area, community, culture etc.
For us, for our children.