In the medium term research plan of National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), we are mainly working on the development of the technologies for labor-saving mechanization and cultivars towards exapansion of export, improvement of profitability by labor saving, and increasing yield in open field vegetable production of Hokkaido.
In particular, for pumpkins, of which Hokkaido accounts for more than 50% of the domestic production, we will introduce various technologies such as automatic irrigation for seedlings, partial fertilization based on the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) growth image analysis, the application of agricultural chemicals by UAV since the equipment cannot enter the field due to the long vines of pumpkin in the late growth stage, and harvesting support system to shorten work time and increase yield.
In addition, we aim to improve the income of rice farming production management entity by carrying out field demonstration test in combination with a new variety for processing that is highly labor-saving and efficiently bred by image discrimination technology and expanding exports by developing a long-term storage technology to extend shelf life during storage.
As for sweet corn, which accounts for more than 40% of domestic production, labor saving will be promoted through the technology of direct sowing for seedling stabilization, technology for predicting the optimum harvesting time, and the introduction of harvesting machines. We will improve soil fertility by plowing in abundant ground residue, establish a crop rotation system that combines with wheat, soybeans, etc., and confirm increased yields and higher incomes for multiple management entities through field trials.
