Not control to fly, just watching.

Tsuburi Co., Ltd.
Taiki CHIBA
※Helmet not worn due to photographic direction.

Agricultural Production Corporation, Tsuburi, aims to maintain local agriculture, supply safe, secure, and fresh food products, and pursue environmentally friendly, recycling-oriented agriculture. Tuburi is in Kuriyama-cho, the central area of Hokkaido, which is easily accessible by car from Sapporo City and New Chitose Airport, about an hour each. Taiki, was a restaurant sommelier in Sapporo, shifted from “supplying food” to “producing food”, and started farming in his hometown of Kuriyama-cho. He uses the Nile-JZ Plus agricultural drone in the process of growing rice, wheat, soybeans, and corn.

Taiki:” I became interested in Nileworks when I saw an article in Nogyo-Shinbun that introduced agricultural drone as an “automatic flying drone”. Before we decide to purchase, we asked Nileworks to demonste for Typhula incarnata/ishikariensis(Yukigusarebyo) of autumn wheat in early November. The fields were so muddy season that tractors could not work in the fields, but we were able to confirm that the drone was spraying evenly from the air, and it was effective in pest control, so we decided to use this drone not only for wheat but also for rice and soybeans. Since Nile-JZ Plus is an automatic drone, so all I have to do is watch the drone. Thanks to this drone, I can work with peace of mind because I am not “control” the drone, but only “watching over” it.”

One person in your available, easy to prepare.

The fields in this area are farmed by Tsuburi. They hope to better agriculture to the next generation, while protecting local agriculture and adapting to the rapidly changing agricultural environment. It’s their strong responsibility mind that they work together with other farmers to do works they are asked, to keep the traditional agriculture in this area continuing. 

Taiki:”We/Tsuburi operate this drone of five staff with licensed by turns. Very attractive point is the accuracy remains the same, no matter who is spraying, and the uniformity is the same. We used to use unmanned helicopters from the air and sprayers from the ground, but since the adaption of this drone we no longer use sprayers. In addition to utilizing this drone on our fields, we/Tsuburi also undertakes pest control work for neighboring farmers, spraying approximately 30 ha per year. With this drone, we can work on short notice, so it’s very convenient for spraying by ourselves in our available time.”

In the near future, as agriculture is one of job option

Kuriyama-cho is also active in natural environment and food education for children. Tsuburi also welcomes people with no farming experience and provides local children with farming experience from rice planting to harvesting and accepts school field trips from Honshu to show them the charm of agriculture through agricultural experience. They have been challenging day by day to produce high-quality products with low and reduced pesticides and to achieve more sustainable agriculture while respecting nature and their teams.

Taiki:” On holidays, my family comes to our field. My wife brings rice balls, and my kids seem to feel close to farming as they plant rice together. I believe they understand that the rice they planted with their hands grows to white rice, then they eat at the dinner table.　As Japanese staple food is rice, I want to continue producing it with pride and continue to do my best so that agriculture will be one of job option for children in near future. I'm also happy to hear that customers, friends, and relatives buy my rice and say it's delicious. Restaurants in this town also use the rice made by Tsuburi, and I hear people say it's delicious there, too, which gives me the motivation to work on rice farming.”

Unblended, in-house rice, surely the best.※Helmet not worn due to photographic direction.

Even today's advanced agricultural technology, farming still depend on the weather. During the busy season, farmers work without a break, but if it rains, they are forced to take a day off, which is no different from the past. On the other hand, to improve productivity, it is effective to proactively integrate labor and manpower saving through the digitalization of agricultural equipment.　This is the advantage of freeing them from time limits and allowing them to concentrate on their work with peace of mind. Taiki’s farm work style is T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, and he has an energetic expression on his face. 

Even if agriculture is far from you, just by understanding the faces of the farmers and their passion for their crops, you will become much more familiar with agriculture. There is a way to support agriculture through understanding. Rice has an essential relationship with the Japanese people and is deeply rooted in the culture and history of each area. Nileworks agricultural drones will continue to help the community toward the future of agriculture and food and continue to help agriculture to the next generation.