Strategic partnership aiming to bring sustainable rice farming to Japan

BASF Japan, NEWGREEN Inc., and Yamatane Corporation have started discussions for a strategic partnership to support a new, low-impact method of rice cultivation in Japan. They envision a sustainable ecosystem that connects production with distribution, addressing critical environmental and economic challenges in the nation’s agricultural sector.

The partnership will promote a method known as water-saving direct seeding cultivation, where seeds are sown directly into unflooded fields. It reduces the significant labour and costs associated with traditional rice farming, such as raising seedlings, levelling paddies, and intensive water management.

They seek to tackle the structural issues confronting Japanese rice production, including an ageing workforce, a shortage of successors, and the effects of climate change on crop stability. By integrating their respective strengths, the three companies intend to establish a system that improves producer profitability and reduces the environmental footprint of rice farming.

The collaboration will combine BASF’s xarvio® Digital Farming Solution, which uses AI to guide cultivation decisions, with NEWGREEN’s expertise in sustainable farming practices. Yamatane will provide its extensive logistics and food distribution infrastructure to create a stable market for the value-added rice.

The partnership intends to build a system where farmers are rewarded for their sustainable practices, thereby boosting their profitability, thus creating a robust supply chain for decarbonised rice.