ZEN-NOH
Submitted by Garry Cronan on October 12, 2007 - 3:30pm.
Zen-Noh | Food and Agriculture | Japan | Products | Environment | Principles/CSR
ZEN-NOH, Japan’s federation of agricultural co-operatives is one of the largest in the world. It purchases and distributes material and equipment for agricultural production for almost 3 million farm households in Japan. It is equally involved in the collection, distribution, and marketing of agricultural products.
Global 300 ranking:
1Number of members:
4,444,800Member Dividend:
USD $2,126,577,815Number of employees:
12,557Gender Diversity:
17% of employees are femaleTurnover:
USD $: 2,147,483,647Type of Co-operative:
Co-operative FederationDate founded:
1972Operating Countries:
Japan
Website:
Products
Green Labelling:
ZEN-NOH (National Federation of Agricultural Co-operatives Association), has developed sophisticated green labelling and product promotion strategies linked to company monitored production programmes. For producers of small volumes of organically certified products aiming to secure premium prices for quality products, the supermarkets are unlikely to offer the returns available through specialist stores.
Establishment of an Inspection and Quality Control System:
ZEN-NOH has urged all ZEN-NOH group food product departments and companies and feed companies to acquire ISO9001 status (including SQF2000.) The agrichemical residue inspection system was strengthened by expanding Agricultural Research and Development Centre facilities and equipment. In preparation for the complete
privatization of agricultural product inspections in 2006, ZEN-NOH developed a rice inspection system for JA to replace the current nationalized inspection system.
Approval of Agrichemicals for Minor Crops:
The ‘JA Group Minor Crop Measures Headquarters’ was established in August 2003 to promote approval of agrichemicals for minor crops and work was begun towards that goal.
Preserving a stable supply of rice:
They are involved in the planned production and stable supply of rice, Japan’s staple food. The JA Group promotes the planned production of rice based on demand in order to keep supply and demand in balance.
Thinking of the consumers:
- JA Rice is rice provided by the JA Group based on the fundamental concept of ‘safety and reliability.’ This trusted rice is:
- produced from seeds confirmed to be of a certain variety (100% pure seed), and
- inspected by a registration agency.
In addition - production history records are verified.
- ‘Pearl Rice,’ the JA Group’s milled rice brand, is the nickname of the rice delivered by the JA Group to rice stores, the Japanese Consumer Cooperative Union (JCCU), JAs and supermarkets. In the production of its rice, the JA Group promotes the acquisition of ISO9001 status and thorough quality control.
- Horticultural Farm Products Industry: They are involved in many projects in the horticultural industry, including the co-operative adjustment of supply and demand in major production areas.
Environment
Environmental Measures:
- Livestock: To comply with the final enactment of the Livestock Waste Law in November 2004, ZEN-NOH established the ‘National Livestock Farmer Individual Inspection Campaign’ within the JA Group.
- Recycling: ZEN-NOH is promoting recycling-based agriculture by operating large-scale livestock manure treatment facilities, handling manure properly, and producing quality compost.
- Agriculture: As part of strengthening measures to create environmentally friendly agriculture, ZEN-NOH increased use of biodegradable mulch by providing information on its use and establishing local test plots.
ISO14001: On January 30, 2003, ZEN-NOH held a conference to kick off its pursuit of ISO14001 status. All prefectural headquarters, including the Ehime Prefectural Headquarters that was combined in April 2004, achieved ISO14001 status in 2005.
SEHI-MEIZIN: ZEN-NOH developed the original software named ‘SEHI-MEIZIN’, that means ‘The best Application Master’ for coated fertilizer. It enables the prediction of the release duration and pattern of coated fertilizer during the actual cultivation period only by inputting the soil temperature information of the area.
