Agricultural Conversion and Renewable Energy Use in Yamagata and Tokushima Prefectures - May 2004

Agricultural Conversion and Renewable Energy Use in Yamagata and Tokushima Prefectures - May 2004

In the future, Japanese agriculture is expected to evolve into a multifunctional role, producing not only food supply but also energy resources and industrial raw materials. For example, in Yamagata Prefecture, sweet sorghum is being grown to produce fuel as part of a biomass utilization initiative. This move will not only revitalize farmland, but also promote the use of renewable resources. the Basic Law on Food, Agriculture, and Forestry enacted in 1999 has encouraged a shift in agricultural policy toward renewable resources in order to address issues such as global warming and the depletion of underground resources.

Until now, starch crops (corn and potatoes), sugar crops (sugarcane, sugar beets, and sweet sorghum), and oil crops (rape blossoms, sunflowers, and soybeans) have been grown primarily for food. In the future, however, these crops are also expected to be used as raw materials for biodegradable resins and ethanol fuels, creating new demand as plastic substitutes and fuels. In particular, ethanol fuel is seen as a key to reducing carbon dioxide emissions as part of the fight against global warming.

Integration of Agriculture and Industry and Regional Revitalization

This fusion of agriculture and industry will also contribute to the economic revitalization of rural areas. In Akita and Niigata Prefectures, which have strengths in fermentation technology, the development of biomass industries utilizing locally grown crops is progressing. It is hoped that this will lead to the utilization of unused farmland and create new vitality in the local economy. In Tsukui Ward, Kanagawa Prefecture, efforts are underway to graze cattle on rough farmland and feed them weeds, simultaneously restoring farmland and reducing the cost of raising cattle. In Tokushima Prefecture, an attempt is underway to maintain the production of Awa beef by grazing breeding cattle and efficiently managing them on farmland surrounded by electric fences.

Challenges and Future Prospects for Improving Efficiency

As the efficiency of converting agricultural products into industrial products and energy from agricultural products improves, the possibility of competing with fossil fuels increases. For example, Hokuriku Electric Power Co. is conducting a co-firing power generation trial of woody biomass and coal in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture, using approximately 700 tons of woody biomass per year, reducing its dependence on conventional fossil fuels. Through such efforts, the goal is to increase energy self-sufficiency while reducing environmental impact.

Furthermore, in the energy sector, the wind power generation project in Onagaicho, Nagasaki Prefecture, is attracting attention as a successful case study: in fiscal 2003, three wind turbines were in full operation, generating over 20 million yen in electricity sales revenue. The success of such a local energy project is considered a model case for expansion to other regions.

Conclusion: Transformation to a Sustainable Society

Thus, agriculture's role not only in food production but also in providing renewable energy and industrial raw materials is essential for the realization of a sustainable society. Efforts in Yamagata and Tokushima prefectures to take advantage of local resources are pioneering examples of how to achieve both rural revitalization and environmental preservation. In the future, it is hoped that the fusion of agriculture and the energy industry will create a new industrial structure and build a sustainable society that addresses environmental issues.