Miyazaki Prefecture Aya Town's Organic Farming and Environmental Conservation Efforts - April 1997

Miyazaki Prefecture Aya Town's Organic Farming and Environmental Conservation Efforts - April 1997

In Aya Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, organic farming is actively promoted to advance environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture. Since being registered as a "Aya UNESCO Eco Park" in 1988, the town has focused on the widespread use of pesticide-free and chemical-free farming. Currently, about 70% (around 600 hectares) of the town's farmland is dedicated to organic farming. The farmers in Aya Town reduce environmental impact by using organic fertilizers and compost instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

The Aya Agricultural Cooperative (JA Aya) ships approximately 1500 tons of organic produce annually, including 500 tons of organic rice. The organic rice from Aya Town yields about 4 tons per hectare and maintains high quality without using pesticides. Additionally, around 1000 tons of organic vegetables and fruits are shipped annually, with these products being distributed mainly within Kyushu and Kanto regions, earning high praise both domestically and internationally.

Moreover, Aya Town is actively involved in water resource conservation, conducting regular water quality monitoring of its major water sources, including the Ayagawa and Gokasegawa rivers. This prevents water pollution from agricultural runoff and ensures ecosystem protection. The monitoring results consistently show that the water quality around the farmland meets environmental standards, with no detection of harmful substances.

Furthermore, about 90% of agricultural waste is recycled in Aya Town, used as compost and organic fertilizers. The town has also introduced agricultural technology that utilizes renewable energy, with more than 10 solar-powered farms generating a total of approximately 500kWh of electricity annually.

These initiatives not only preserve Aya Town's natural environment but have also attracted around 30,000 tourists annually through "eco-tourism," contributing approximately 1 billion yen in economic benefits to the town each year.