"Smart agriculture" that uses information and communication technology (ICT) to save labor and improve productivity. It is being introduced by farmers in Gunma prefecture, such as managing information on farmland and farm work with an app, and making full use of a system that allows you to check the environment inside the house on a tablet terminal. It is also attracting attention as a trump card to solve the problems facing the agricultural field such as the aging population and the shortage of successors.
Cool
"As the bearers are aging, I think that utilizing digital technology is the way for agriculture to live." In late November last year, a presentation where companies in the prefecture introduced their digital transformation (DX) initiatives. Yoshimitsu Honda (70), the representative of Agri-Support (Minakami Town), who works on rice cultivation, spoke strongly on the stage.
Honda, who has won awards at numerous rice competitions, manages a vast area of paddy fields, mainly in the Shinji area. About three years ago, we introduced the agricultural support app "Agri-Note" and made it possible to record the growth status, fertilizer input amount, mowing time, etc. for each paddy field that had been filled out on paper documents. In addition to being able to check information at a glance on a smartphone, it is now possible to share with employees when and what kind of work was done, making it possible to efficiently manage a large number of paddy fields even with a small number of people.
The problem of cultivating the same place could be solved by installing a satellite-based positioning system (GPS) on the tractor. The place where the tractor passed was confirmed on the monitor, which led to the "visualization" of the uncultivated area. Honda says, "If you've been farming until now, you won't be interested in young people. I want to be a cool farmer."
Environmental control
Yoshinobu Imai (65), a rose producer in Tomioka City, is working on the automation of environmental control of the house. At the seven rose-growing houses, the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, etc. are measured with sensors and constantly grasped with a tablet terminal.
Equipment such as ventilators and atomizers operate automatically based on the measured data. It creates an appropriate environment by opening and closing windows and spraying fine mist.
In addition to being able to check the environment inside the house on a tablet device even when you are away, you can also operate it remotely. Not only did it save labor, but it also led to stable production of high-quality roses throughout the year.
In recognition of his efforts, he received the highest award from the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at the 30th Flower Country Development Co-Exercise Association Flower Technology and Management Contest (sponsored by the Japan Flower Promotion Center). Mr. Imai said, "It is also a plus to be able to understand management problems by analyzing data such as comparisons with the previous year."
[Memo] In March of last year, the prefecture formulated the "Prefectural Agricultural and Rural Development Plan" that shows the direction of agricultural policy for five years from 2021. As the shortage of farmers is becoming more serious due to the aging of the population, the main pillar is to promote the spread of smart agriculture with an eye on the future of the production areas. Strengthen information dissemination through demonstrations and lectures.