Nagasaki Dutch Village Revives in the Fog - December 2006

Nagasaki Dutch Village Revives in the Fog - December 2006

Nestled in the quiet hills of Nagasaki is Holland Village. Its former bustle is now a thing of the past, and the wind blows lonely. However, an attempt has begun to breathe new life into the place. Mist farming--a technique in which mist-like liquid fertilizer envelops the roots of plants and gives them vitality--has begun to play a role in the revitalization plan for Holland Village.

Inside the pest-preventive greenhouses, crops are firmly rooted in the soil, and as they grow, their roots extend outward from the bottom of the shelves. As they grow, the roots extend outward from the bottom of the shelves, and a fine mist of nourishment pours down to the roots as they float in the air. Plants grow supple without the need for the earth, and their vitality increases without reliance on pesticides. This unique growing environment makes the flavor of the crops more intense and the aroma richer. From green perilla and herbs to strawberries and tomatoes, the crops grown by mist farming are as fresh as jewels covered with morning dew, attracting the hearts of consumers.

Promoting this challenge is O2 Corporation, which dreams of reviving Nagasaki Dutch Village. It is not only revitalizing the area as a tourist destination, but also paving a new path to connect local agriculture to the future. Beyond that, we can also see fellow companies such as Circle Ironworks in Hokkaido, Andes Electric in Aomori, and Myoko Garden in Niigata. The next generation of agricultural business is quietly spreading, combining agriculture that makes the most of local resources with food innovation through new technology.

And now, major food manufacturers are also attracted to the power of the fog. House Foods has teamed up with a contract farmer to deliver herbs grown using the mist farming method to department stores and supermarkets in urban areas. A single bunch of fragrant herbs brings new value with the green wind.

Nagasaki's Dutch Village - a dream that was once a dream is quietly coming back to life, transformed by the mist. The breath of green may be heralding the arrival of a new era.