#Sustainability #Meiji Dairy #MDA Meeting

Addressing Regional Challenges in the Dairy Industry: The 5th MDA Meeting

On January 28, 2026, Meiji Co., Ltd., under the leadership of President Fumijiro Yao, hosted the 5th Meiji Dairy Advisory Meeting (MDA Meeting) at the Hotel La'Fort Sapporo in Hokkaido. This pivotal event aimed to strengthen partnerships between the company and dairy farmers while creating a platform for knowledge exchange among farmers. The unique challenges faced by dairy farming vary across regions, leading to the decision to hold meetings specifically tailored to these geographic concerns.

Previously, the MDA Meetings connected venues across Hokkaido, Kanto, Tokai, Kansai, Shikoku, and Kyushu virtually to facilitate nationwide communication among farmers. Now, by organizing regional meetings, Meiji aims to address specific local issues more effectively.

Special Lectures and Discussions

The Hokkaido meeting attracted around 30 participants, including 14 dairy farmers engaged with the Meiji Dairy Advisory program. Notable was the special lecture by Yusuke Doi, President of Sapporo Agent Co., Ltd., who shared insights on the realities of foreign employment in the dairy sector, particularly the use of Indonesian labor. Attendees learned about essential communication practices and the mindset needed to successfully incorporate foreign workers into their operations. This session emphasized improving workplace conditions and fostering a sense of purpose in jobs.

In the discussion segment, perspectives on creating meaningful workplace environments were shared. Staff expressed that having a vision is crucial for meaningful work, while management reflected on the complexities of employee evaluations, aiming to position assessments as growth opportunities. Such dialogues are foundational in shaping a positive work culture, paving the way for productive relationships and higher retention rates.

Meeting Schedules Across Regions

The MDA Meeting's regional initiatives include:

• - Kanto: Scheduled for February 13, 2026, at the Meiji Kyobashi Building.
• - Tokai: Taking place on February 9, 2026, in Mie Prefecture’s Livestock Agricultural Cooperative meeting room.
• - Kansai: Set for February 10, 2026, at Sakai City Livestock Agricultural Cooperative meeting space.
• - Kyushu: Coinciding with the Hokkaido meeting on January 28, 2026, to discuss systems for employee growth.

These meetings are designed to facilitate discussions on creating better working environments and addressing challenges that await the future of dairy farming in Japan.

About Meiji Dairy Advisory

Initiated in 2018, the Meiji Dairy Advisory Program focuses on human resource management in farming, aiming to enhance management techniques and support the growth of individuals involved in the dairy industry. Amid a long-standing decline in raw milk production in Japan since 1996, Meiji has implemented several strategies to combat this issue, particularly in light of the butter shortage crisis in 2014.

The Meiji Group intensified efforts to analyze the environmental factors affecting productivity. This analysis revealed that not only feeding techniques but also the working environment and job structure played critical roles in operational success. From 2016 onwards, collaboration with experts from Denmark highlighted the importance of employee satisfaction and efficient workplace practices in achieving a sustainable dairy model.

By leveraging these insights, the Meiji Dairy Advisory strives to cultivate fulfilling and efficient farming operations, thereby supporting an evolving community of dairy farmers ready to face contemporary challenges in the industry.

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