From Civil Engineering to Soil: Companies Tackling the Challenge of Organic Agriculture (circa 2006)

From Civil Engineering to Soil: Companies Tackling the Challenge of Organic Agriculture (circa 2006)

In the early 2000s, the local construction industry faced financial difficulties due to cuts in public works projects, and many companies sought new business fields. One of these was entry into agriculture. Organic, recycling-oriented agriculture that utilizes local resources attracted attention against a backdrop of heightened environmental awareness and food safety concerns. Kinkame Construction in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, established an agricultural corporation called "Aguri," which leases abandoned farmland to grow pesticide-free rice and vegetables. The company composted food residues and construction by-products and focused on soil preparation. GAMANO Kensetsu in Iwate Prefecture started compost production using a closed factory and developed the cultivation of low-chemical spinach. The company entered the Tokyo metropolitan market with its own brand, "Agri-Gamano," and has grown to a scale of over 100 million yen in annual sales. Kitahama Kensetsu in Enbetsu-c
ho, Hokkaido, also utilizes dairy and fishery by-products as compost and has established an agricultural corporation, Alita. The company has obtained JAS certification for organic pumpkins and soybeans, but has chosen to close its construction business and specialize in agriculture. What all three companies have in common is recycling-oriented agriculture with compost at its core and an attitude of revitalizing local resources while learning from the wisdom of farmers. Conversations such as "the soil responds to us" and "compost makes the roots stronger" were exchanged, and the human touch that supports the challenge was evident. These examples can be positioned as small practices that simultaneously sought to revitalize rural areas and contribute to the environment in the midst of the organic farming boom of the time.