11) Outline of measures for the Uruguay Round of GATT concerning sweetpotato, etc.

1. Outline of the project

This project covers pulses, peanuts, konjak, sweetpotatoes, and potatoes, and is intended to promote public relations with consumers, and to maintain and expand demand by developing new uses for these products. In addition, based on accurate information concerning market demand/supply conditions, it will allow new measures concerning alternative product uses, production planning, and product storage in response to market conditions to be implemented.

2. Details of the project

(1) Maintaining current levels of demand

Steps will include taking surveys of actual distribution and consumption patterns; hosting various gatherings and initiating public relations to expand consumption of local specialties; and promoting experiments, development and diffusion of new products.

1) Products covered: Pulses, peanuts, konjak, sweetpotatoes, and potatoes

2) Operating bodies: Economic National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, Agricultural Cooperatives, and consumer groups

3) Subsidy ratio: 50% or less

4) Project items and details

a. Surveys of distribution and consumption trends

• Surveys for current distribution and consumer trends
• Surveys for potential marketability of new varieties and products

b. Expanding consumption and educating consumers

• Hosting events for promotion of public relations in major cities
• Hosting events for promoting particular local specialties
• Distributing leaflets and other educational materials to schools

c. Developing and diffusing new uses of sweetpotato, etc.

• Examining and planning new products meeting consumers' needs
• Experimenting, developing, and diffusing marketable new local products

(2) Finding alternative uses for products

Sweetpotato, etc., for starch-related products will need to be raised more systematically, and their use encouraged for processed foodstuffs as well.

1) Areas: Hokkaido, Ibaraki, Chiba, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima Prefectures

2) Operating bodies: Agricultural cooperatives, Juridical Agricultural Unions, farming groups, etc.

3) Subsidy ratio: 50% or less (maximum \33,000 per 10 acres)

4) Project items and details (major ones only)

a. Urgent cultivation of sweetpotato, etc., varieties for processing

• Constructing and improving facilities for nurseries, for germination under artificial light, for disinfection of seed sweetpotato, etc., and for proliferation of virus-free sprouts.
• Financing seed production fields required in introducing, purchasing, and proliferating top-quality varieties.

b. Prevention and control of soil diseases

• Introducing and improving machines for soil disinfection, soil improvement, soil diagnosis and other purposes
• Purchasing disinfectant and materials for soil improvement
• Improving infrastructure in small areas, drainage to enhance productivity, and soil; repairing farm roads; soil preparation and dressing, etc.

c. Introduction of farming machines

• Introducing and improving harvesters, mulchers, and molding machines, which are required for raising varieties suitable for food processing

d. Improving facilities for collecting, shipping, storing and processing.

• Establishing (or improving) facilities for collection and storage; introducing (or upgrading) machines for collecting, washing, sorting, and adjusting shipment of products; establishing and improving food processing facilities and machines