Seibu and Sumitomo transforming Japanese farming

Seibu Kaihatsu Nosan Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, and Sumitomo Corporation Tohoku Co., Ltd. have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing sustainable agricultural practices and revitalising regional farming in Japan’s Tohoku region

This alliance focuses on improving food production, supporting local farmers, and promoting the use of smart farming technologies. The collaboration will focus on four key areas:

The first project aims to improve productivity and efficiency in agriculture by introducing smart farming technologies. These technologies, which include IoT-based work tracking, automated machinery, and agricultural drones, will be showcased through demonstrations to farmers across Tohoku. The goal is to help farmers achieve stable food production by adopting these innovations.

This initiative focuses on supporting farmers with consulting services and training programmes. The companies will collect and analyse data from farm machinery and smartphones to help improve operational efficiency. By leveraging their expertise in farmland management, they aim to sustain and grow regional agriculture, even in the face of a declining and ageing farming population.

The third project will work on enhancing the agricultural supply chain. By linking producer data with food processing and distribution companies, the alliance will help farmers better manage market fluctuations and improve product quality. The project also includes support for post-harvest activities such as sorting and drying, which will benefit producers and the entire distribution network in the region.

The fourth area of focus involves the adoption of environmentally sustainable farming practices. The partners will demonstrate and promote the use of eco-friendly agricultural inputs and cultivation systems, with an emphasis on reducing environmental impact. They also plan to explore the practical application of a carbon credit programme to further boost sustainability.

Japan’s agricultural industry is facing a critical challenge, with the number of farmers halving in the last 20 years. In 2023, the average age of Japanese farmers stood at 69. Additionally, nearly 10% of Japan’s farmland is abandoned, with over 420,000 hectares left unused.

Seibu Kaihatsu Nosan, one of Japan’s largest agricultural corporations, manages about 1,000 hectares of farmland and has already been leveraging smart technologies for more efficient farming. By offering services such as spraying, harvesting, and drying on behalf of neighbouring farmers, the company is helping maintain the vibrancy of regional agriculture.

This new partnership builds on previous efforts between the three companies to test and promote digital technologies that improve productivity. Their expanded collaboration aims to address the pressing issues facing agriculture in Tohoku, driving both technological innovation and regional revitalisation.