Ibaraki Prefecture, a prominent agricultural hub in Japan, is spearheading initiatives to bolster the profitability and sustainability of its agriculture and fishery sectors. The region is embracing the challenge through the expansion of export channels and the integration of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).
As the upcoming host of the G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ Meeting in its capital, Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture has unveiled a video showcasing its endeavours to enhance agricultural and fishery practices. Boasting fertile land and approximately 190 km of coastline, Ibaraki stands as Japan’s leading producer of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products by both value and volume.
The region witnessed a tenfold increase in the value of agricultural exports (including fruits, vegetables, rice, and animal products) from 2016 to 2022, reaching a record-high of 1.3 billion yen. Ibaraki’s fishery industry, contributing 299,686 tonnes in 2021, ranks second only to Hokkaido in total marine fishing catch.
In response to challenges posed by factors such as Japan’s declining population and climate change, Ibaraki is strategically fortifying its agriculture and fishery sectors to navigate an uncertain future. In the Namegata region, local farming cooperatives are intensifying efforts to promote and export “kansho” or sweet potatoes, capitalizing on the tuber’s rising popularity in Southeast Asia, particularly for roasted sweet potatoes known as “yaki-imo.”
Moreover, Ibaraki Prefecture is transitioning from traditional wild fish catch to innovative aquaculture, addressing labour shortages in fisheries and adapting to rising sea temperatures. Notably, at Nakaminato Port in Hitachinaka city, a pioneering project is underway, collaborating with a deeptech company to farm mackerel in tanks using remote feeders and AI technology for monitoring feeding behaviour.
Ibaraki Governor Kazuhiko Oigawa emphasized the importance of adopting a determined and unique stance, stating, “I think it is important for Ibaraki to adopt a hungry spirit, a determination to be successful, to take risks, and to adopt a unique stance. I think from now on it’s important for us to become a prefecture that is a little different.”
Source: Ibaraki Prefectural Government