Japan explores a smart agricultural model that reduces manpower and increases production efficiency

Compared to China, a vast agricultural country, Japan may have a small land area and many hilly regions, but its advanced agricultural technology and intensive farming traditions have captured global attention. In recent decades, as Japan's aging population has grown and younger generations are increasingly reluctant to take on labor-intensive agricultural work, the country has been forced to develop smart agricultural models that reduce reliance on human labor and boost productivity. These efforts offer valuable lessons for Chinese agriculture. Recently, a reporter from *The Global Times* joined a joint delegation from China, Japan, and South Korea to visit Japanese farms and gain insights into their agricultural practices. During the trip, the reporter witnessed some of the most advanced agricultural business models in Japan, while also learning about past failures and challenges, offering useful references for China’s own agricultural development. One of the first stops was the Fujitsu "Autumn" smart farm in Putian City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The Qiu Cai Farm Park spans 85,000 square meters—equivalent to 12 football fields—and features large greenhouses with glass exteriors and minimal steel framing at the top, designed to maximize natural light. Before entering a greenhouse where peppers were being grown, the reporter was required to wear a plastic jacket, gloves, and disinfect their shoes and hands. Staff members reminded the reporter not to touch the plants directly to maintain a sterile environment. Inside the greenhouse, the plants were cultivated in special artificial soil, with water, nutrients, and carbon dioxide delivered through underground pipelines. The colored pepper plants grew along hanging steel wires, and workers used specialized lift trucks to harvest them. The greenhouse’s humidity and nutrient levels were controlled by computers, allowing for real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, and light conditions from the main building. In case of typhoons, staff could remotely control the skylights to protect the crops. At night, self-service robots moved along tracks, using LED lights to monitor plant growth and generate photosynthesis color images for staff to adjust environmental conditions. This blend of automation and precision has significantly improved efficiency and reduced the need for manual labor. Another highlight of the trip was a visit to a plant factory in Chiba Prefecture. Known as a "plant factory," this system uses computer-controlled environments to regulate temperature, humidity, light, CO₂ levels, and nutrient solutions, enabling mass production of crops in a compact space. While the concept originated in Northern Europe, Japan was the first to implement it on a large scale. There are over 400 plant factories worldwide, with half located in Japan. At National Chiba University, the reporter met with the director of the Japan Plant Factory Research Association. He explained that plant factories operate in a closed environment, with staff monitoring crop growth through a unique "growth management system." Vegetables can be harvested in just over 30 days, with one facility managing 10 people producing 1 million vegetables annually, worth about 5.87 million yuan. Smaller home-sized plant factories, similar in size to refrigerators, are also available and can be connected via web apps for remote monitoring. In recent years, plant factories have become a hot topic for global investment. One key reason is the widespread use of LED lighting, which has significantly reduced electricity costs compared to traditional methods. Currently, plant factories mainly produce vegetables, but researchers are exploring higher-value products like medicinal herbs and cosmetic ingredients. Some Chinese companies are also investing in this field. However, not all plant factories have been successful. Reports suggest that around 70% of Japanese plant factories are unprofitable, with many closing after exhausting government subsidies. Despite this, experts believe that the challenges faced by early adopters are normal in the development of new technologies. Just as greenhouses were once controversial, they are now widely accepted, with 80% of tomatoes and 90% of strawberries in Japan grown in such facilities. Funding remains a major challenge for Japanese agriculture. Both Japan and South Korea face risks due to insufficient investment. However, private investors like Softbank’s founder Masayoshi Son and Chinese companies like Sanan Group are showing interest in expanding the industry. While Japanese farmers are known for their patience and meticulous approach, many agricultural enterprises still operate in isolation, lacking collaboration between research, production, and distribution. According to Ito from Qiu Cai Farm, Japan’s traditional model often separated these areas, leading to inefficiencies. Small nurseries, for example, may produce high-quality seeds but lack downstream support, limiting their value. By fostering better integration and collaboration, Japan’s agricultural sector can continue to evolve and remain competitive on the global stage.

Polyester Braided Sleeve

PP Polyester Yarn Braided Sleeve,PP Polyester Yarn Cable Sleeve,PP Polyester Yarn Braided Cable Sleeving,PP Polyester Yarn Braided Cable Mesh,PP Polyester Yarn Braided

Dongguan Liansi Electronics Co.,Ltd , https://www.liansisleeve.com