The Department of Hilly and Mountainous Area Farming Research focuses on paddy-field agriculture in regions (including converted upland fields) where there are challenges including but not limited to numerous fields characterized by small and fragmented plots, shortages in farm successors, labor shortages, and rising production costs. To address these challenges, the department is developing technologies that contribute to improving labor productivity and ensuring stable production of field crops such as rice, wheat, and soybeans.
The research involves the development of smart agriculture technologies suited to small and fragmented fields by utilizing land-use optimization technologies based on geographic information systems (GIS); decision-support technologies based on the prediction and visualization of the effects of controlling weeds, pests and diseases; and labor-saving production technologies utilizing compact electric autonomous machineries.
By combining these technologies aided by selection methods adapted to diverse production environments and the use of agricultural support services, the department aims to establish sustainable yet resilient technologies that improve production in hilly and mountainous regions.
