In the hilly and mountainous regions, which account for about 40% of the total cultivated area in the Tohoku region, it is necessary to increase the productivity of cultivated land to prevent the devastation of farmland due to shortage of farmers and to maintain and develop the regional economy. Therefore, we work towards establishment of a system that can efficiently produce upland crops (forage crops and soybeans) by combining small plots of rice fields to maintain farmland and improve profitability. We will develop a production system for upland crops that will increase production efficiency and yield revenue by combining less productive paddy fields on gentle slopes. The system will also be based on technologies for upland fields with improved drainage and technologies for digitizing and quickly utilizing information on the heterogeneity of crop growth and soil fertility. We will also demonstrate ultra-labor-saving production using smart technology that can improve production efficiency by 30% and yield of corn, soybeans and pasture grass by 15%. At the same time, we will realize the spread of grasses, which are suitable for the environment of the Tohoku region, and revitalize mountainous areas.
