About GAP Education Program

GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) does not easily spread in Japan. One reason for this is that the number of GAP trainers is not sufficient. In 2012, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan surveyed attitudes towards good agricultural practice, GAP, and agricultural products that are environmentally friendly. In this survey, the MAFF asked farmers the reason as to why they don’t implement GAP. An average of 32.7% of farmers answered that there are no GAP trainers available. Therefore, to spread GAP, we must cultivate many more GAP trainers.

To address this issue, the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki developed a GAP education program for university students. The reason to introduce the program in this university is as follows. Miyazaki Prefecture has wide agricultural fields so students can learn agriculture hands on. In addition, the organisation of Miyazaki Prefecture, Agriculture Cooperative Association and local companies support our project. From this, we believe that the University of Miyazaki is suitable for GAP education.

Thus the GAP education program was developed. We could show one model GAP education program for students in university. This program is the first among universities in Japan. For this reason, the Faculty of Agriculture received the GAP Award from JGAP. In the future, it can be expected that students will acquire knowledge and the ability to implement GAP. They will work in various organizations related to foods and agriculture and will contribute to the spread GAP in Japan. This GAP education program officially begins in fiscal 2014.

This GAP education program was developed through a MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) special funded project, the Nurturing of International GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) ? capable Food Management Specialists (2011-2014).

In addition, this project received cooperation from various organizations. They are Miyazaki Prefecture, JA-MIYAZAKI KEIZAIREN, JGAP (Japan Good Agricultural Practice) certified Nonprofit Organization, AEON AGRI CREATE Co., Ltd., Shinpukuseika. Limited Co. and Shi-i Farm Agricultural Production Legal Person etc. The Internship received notable cooperation from Green House Miyazaki Limited Co. and IT Farm Miyazaki Co., Ltd.