Ukrainian agricultural policy makers visit areas in Miyagi Prefecture restored from the 2011 disaster

MIYAGI, April 20 — Senior officials of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine visited Miyagi Prefecture on April 19 to inspect farming areas, such as large-scale greenhouse horticulture, which were restored from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. As Ukrainian industries including the farming sector suffer great damage from Russia’s military invasion, the officials said horticultural agriculture can become a source of employment, adding that they hope to learn from efforts made in Japan. Deputy Minister Markiyan Dmytrasevych and four other officials were invited to Japan by the Japan International Cooperation Agency as part of measures to support Ukraine’s reconstruction. They visited greenhouses growing strawberries and cucumbers … Continue reading

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Balloon-like packaging can keep flowers last for two weeks without adding water

TOKYO, Apr. 15 – At “Hana Biyori,” a flower park in Inagi City, Tokyo, an aerial display of carnations wrapped in balloon-like packaging attracts attention. The display of floating flowers that can last about two weeks without adding is intended to boost the sale of flowers toward this year’s “Mother’s Day” on May 14th. The aerial display will continue until April 19th. A flower wholesaler at Kasai Metropolitan Wholesale Market, Tokyo Flower Port, developed the product using a commercially available packaging material called “Air Fleur,” which is an inflatable plastic bags designed to protect flowers. The company adopted unique technologies to make flowers last long, such as raising the humidity … Continue reading

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Minabe-Tanabe ume Japanese apricot system in Wakayama Prefecture handed down for 400 years

WAKAYAMA, April 3 — Agriculture journalist Ayumi Kotani visits sites in Japan designated as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) to gain insights into revitalizing agriculture and farming villages for a sustainable future. Visitors to the Minabe and Tanabe districts in Wakayama Prefecture in early spring are impressed by ume Japanese apricot trees in full bloom turning mountain slopes here and there all white. In particular, Nanbu ume groves in the town of Minabe offer a superb view overlooking the ocean, with some 30,000 people visiting the area during the ume blossom season. “Visitors are surprised by how steep the slopes are and ask us how the harvesting is done, … Continue reading

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Local governments and research institutions work on reducing caffeine in green tea

TOKYO, April 9 — As drinks with less caffeine attract attention, efforts are made to develop green tea products with reduced caffeine. Research institutions, such as those affiliated with local governments, are working to determine low-caffeine tea varieties or the harvesting time when tea leaves contain less caffeine, as well as establishing their own processing technology to reduce caffeine content. They are aiming at seeking new demands and expanding exports. There are some low-caffeine green tea products, but the lineup has not taken root as such items require designated facilities and knowhow to produce, and their flavor and color change when caffeine is taken out. Many prefectures are attempting to … Continue reading

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Citrus farm supporter program bearing fruit, to take root also as new tourism attraction in Onomichi, Hiroshima

HIROSHIMA, Apr. 8 – “Citrus Supporter” program led by the Onomichi Tourist Association in Hiroshima Prefecture has become a successfully model to help citrus farm operators on the islands of Setouchi Inland Sea. The citrus section of a local agricultural cooperative association in Hiroshima Prefecture, JA Hiroshima, also supports the program by gathering Cito-supo (a shorter name for Citrus Supporters) for farmers facing workforce shortages. The program has approximately 130 registered members, many from Hiroshima and some from other prefectures. The association intends to make it a new tourist attraction, bring more people, and revitalize the regional economy. The scheme was launched in January 2022. Many citrus farmers on Setouchi … Continue reading

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