History of agricultural land restoration and environmental conservation in Tsukui Ward - Kanagawa Prefecture

History of agricultural land restoration and environmental conservation in Tsukui Ward - Kanagawa Prefecture

1. beginnings (2004)

In 2004, Tsukui Ward, Kanagawa Prefecture, began an initiative to restore farmland using cattle grazing in response to the aging of the local population and the increase in abandoned farmland. The initial goal was to regenerate farmland by having cows eat weeds and to reduce the cost of raising cows. 1 cow eats 5070 kg of weeds per day and can regenerate 1 square kilometer of farmland in about 20 days. This initiative has become a model case nationwide for sustainable development of rural communities.

2. expansion and diffusion (2010s)

In the 2010s, Tsukui Ward saw further progress in regenerating abandoned farmland through grazing, which was also adopted as part of "Awa Beef" production in other regions, including Tokushima Prefecture. Wagyu cattle grazing in mountainous areas has also been effective in preventing damage by birds and animals, and the introduction of electric fences has improved efficiency. The installation of the electric fence cost 100,000 yen per 10 are, but by utilizing solar power generation, operating costs were reduced.

3. evolution in the 2020s: introduction of smart grazing

In the 2020s, the introduction of "smart grazing" technology, led by the Japan Agricultural Institute, dramatically improved the efficiency of pastoral agriculture: GPS-based cattle location tracking systems and remote monitoring of electric fences became widespread, making it possible to reduce labor hours to 1/20 of the previous level. In addition, the removal of spiny plants by multiple machines (such as flail mowers) has progressed, further accelerating farmland restoration.

In addition, the cultivation of native Tsukui soybeans has been restored, and as of 2020, 63 acres of farmland have been regenerated. These soybeans are used to make local brand happoshu (sparkling wine) and support the development of the local economy through sixth industrialization. Wagyu cattle grazing has been expanded to 37 hectares, with 240 head of cattle grazing on it.

Future Prospects

It is expected that sustainable grazing agriculture using smart technology will continue to spread and revitalize rural areas. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has strengthened its subsidy program for such efforts and is working with local governments to promote environmental conservation and agricultural land restoration.

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In this way, the restoration of farmland in Tsukui Ward has gone beyond mere agricultural restoration and has played an important role in environmental preservation and the establishment of a sustainable local economy. It is hoped that, through technological advancement and local cooperation, this model of sustainable future agriculture will continue to spread throughout the country.