noun
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
Historical title for the head of the former Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (農林省), before its merger into the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (農林水産省) in 1978. Now obsolete; the modern equivalent is 農林水産大臣.
See also: 農林水産大臣
戦後、農林大臣は食糧増産に力を入れた。
After the war, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry focused on increasing food production.
農林大臣は、かつての農林省の長官だった。
The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry was the head of the former Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
The modern equivalent, heading the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (農林水産省) established in 1978. 農林大臣 is the obsolete predecessor.
Compound of 農林 (のうりん, 'agriculture and forestry') and 大臣 (だいじん, 'minister'). The term reflects the historical ministry structure before the 1978 reorganization.