Japanese students upcycle invasive weed into delicious island rusks

Atria LLC has teamed up with students from Kindai University Faculty of Agriculture to upcycle an invasive weed into a commercial food product on Kikai Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. The team unveiled the newly created Sendangusa rusk earlier last weekend at the Kikaijima Sunset Festa 2026.

Kikai Island produces approximately 67,000 tonnes of sugarcane each year. However, a shrinking and ageing agricultural workforce has increased the physical workload for individual farmers. One persistent obstacle in sugarcane cultivation is Sendangusa, a wild weed locally known as a hitchhiker plant. Rapid weed growth stifles crop yields and demands continuous clearing, yet the harvested biomass previously held no economic or practical utility.

The project team sought to transform the weed into a value-generating harvest. Over six months of recipe development, students systematically tested baked goods including cookies, pies and bread to manage the plant’s strong natural grass scent and colour intensity. The team ultimately selected rusks, using ground Sendangusa powder to achieve a crisp texture with a light herbal aroma.

In late July, students from Kindai University and Tokyo University of Agriculture participated in a five-day residential programme on Kikai Island. They stayed at JAC HAUS, a former elementary school renovated by Japan Air Commuter Co., Ltd. to foster regional exchange. Participants assisted with weed clearing, sugarcane field studies and event preparations before running the Kindai Gajumaru Cafe at KIKAI BASE during the festival.

Nationwide online and physical sales scheduled from September 2026 will test whether upcycled regional goods can generate sustained interest and revenue.