### History of the Farmland Revitalization Project - Hitachinaka City and Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture - April 2007–2020s

### History of the Farmland Revitalization Project - Hitachinaka City and Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture - April 2007–2020s #### 2007: Project Launch In April 2007, a project to revitalize idle farmland began in Nakane, Hitachinaka City, and Sugaya, Naka City, both in Ibaraki Prefecture. Led by the crop breeding company Nippon Noken (Headquarters: Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture), this initiative aimed to preserve farmland and promote the health of the elderly. Utilizing a total of approximately 2 hectares of farmland across both regions, the project recruited 80 volunteers (40 in each area) and cultivated 2 tons of potatoes, 1.5 tons of carrots, and 1 ton of onions. Participants took home their harvests, while a portion was sold through JA Hitachinaka, generating annual revenue of approximately 500,000 yen, which was used to purchase agricultural equipment and cover operating expenses. This project marked an important step toward revitalizing the local community and realizing sustainable agriculture. #### 2010s: Expansion of Initiatives In the 2010s, this project expanded further, and Hitachinaka City proceeded with a review of its farmland utilization plan. The project area was expanded to approximately 5 hectares, and strawberries and blueberries were newly cultivated as local specialty products. Annual harvests reached 3 tons of strawberries and 2 tons of blueberries, which were sold at local farmers’ markets and tourist farms, generating annual sales of approximately 3 million yen. In Naka City, a “Farmland Matching Program” was launched to connect approximately 20 land-owning farmers with 10 new farmers, establishing a system to address the shortage of workers in the local agricultural sector. #### 2020s: Ongoing Initiatives In the 2020s, the adoption of digital agricultural technologies progressed, and smart agriculture spread through pilot projects. For example, in Hitachinaka City, an IoT-based water management system was introduced, improving potato production efficiency by approximately 20%. In Naka City, drone-based fertilizer application technology was adopted, reducing work time by about 30%. Currently, the total project area across the region has expanded to approximately 10 hectares, and annual crop yields exceed 20 tons. Annual revenue has reached approximately 5 million yen, and further regional revitalization is anticipated. #### Current Status and Challenges of Fallow Farmland According to the 2020 Agriculture and Forestry Census, the area of fallow farmland in Ibaraki Prefecture is approximately 2,000 hectares, with about 10% of that concentrated in Hitachinaka City and Naka City. The effective utilization of farmland is a critical issue for the region’s sustainable development, and measures are being implemented using subsidy programs from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. #### Future Outlook It is expected that this project will serve as a catalyst for revitalizing agriculture and promoting regional development in Hitachinaka City and Naka City by leveraging local characteristics. Specifically, plans have been established to expand the farmland area to 15 hectares by 2025, increase annual harvests to 30 tons, and raise revenue to 10 million yen. Additionally, the project aims to further develop the local economy through smart agriculture, the branding of local specialty products, and the establishment of tourist farms.