Family compassion through agriculture, to the next generation.

KAWASAKI private farmer
From right
Kazutoshi KAWASAKI
Mirai KAWASAKI
Miyoko KAWASAKI

Located in the south of Aomori Prefecture, Gonohe-machi is a small town about 20 minutes by car from Hachinohe JR-Shinkansen Station. It has been one of the leading horse producing areas since the Kamakura period, and it used to be said that the number of horses was more than people. KAWASAKI well-assorted couple are both rice farmers from Gonohe-machi, and they decided to start farming in their beloved town of Gonohe-machi, where they can manage their time and schedule by themselves, in order to spend more valuable time with their family. Despite their young age, they know everything about this town, as they take on the role of the neighborhood association without loss or gain.

Face agriculture. Want to support my parents.

Mirai, a first-year high school student, has been playing in the fields since she was a child. Surrounded by real nature and using all five senses to experience the seasons was nothing special for her, but ordinary. As she began to understand more and more about how the real-world works, she naturally realized how difficult to farm in close relationship with nature and began assisting with the farm work on weekends when she is off.

Mirai: “Operating the drone and registering the field was easy. I hope that people of my generation will also become aware of new technologies like drones and become interested in agriculture.”

Kazutoshi: “My daughter is a generation that is used to smartphones and other digital devices, so I really appreciate how quickly we can register plots and set the amount of chemicals by her prompt assist. This drone is automatic, from the flight route to the spraying operation, so I can watch her operation with peace of mind.”

Preparation is key.Ways to change the way you work.

Nileworks/Nile-JZ Plus agricultural drone is lightweight and allows you to operate by alone. Both of Kazutoshi and Mirai have the different role and while he has agricultural knowledge, then check the crop conditions of the field and prepare the suitable pesticides. Mirai can control the drone by alone, it means that they feel the benefit of efficiency operation as well as the quality uniformity no matter who is operating.

Kazutoshi: “Until now, we had been spraying 30 ha of fields with a handy- jet sprayer, but it took 7 to 10 days to complete the work. It was hard work, both physically and mentally, to carry the heavy jet sprayer on my back and walk around the field spraying under the hot sun. As I felt my physical energy decline over the years, I was looking for a drone that would allow me to operate by alone and control easily. Nileworks/Nile-JZ Plus agricultural drone was just what I was looking for, so I decided to purchase one as soon as I found it. I can do pest control operations by myself, and it only takes a day or two. I can use the time I save to work on other tasks, and I think this drone will make farm work easier in the future as I get older.”

Trying to get rid of the dew
Agricultural drones can not only for pest control. Challenge for dew clearing.

Kazutoshi is a very research-oriented person and incorporates his own innovations in the way he grows rice plants. It is said that rice nursery growth determines the growth of the plant and the harvest, and there are many processes required in just one month. He grew seedlings in the field instead of in-house conditions, as is usual. After consulting with agricultural experts on cost and management considerations, he decided to grow seedlings in an open-air pool✕ bio stimulant, which has resulted in firm plants and large grain size and is expected to produce the highest harvest ever.

Kazutoshi: “Every day I look forward to seeing how the rice plants are doing, and it is rewarding for me to see its growth without disease, thanks to all process and effort. I am thinking of using this drone not only for spraying of pesticides and soil fertilizers, but also for dew clearing (i.e., removing moisture during harvest) by utilizing downwash (i.e., strong downward winds from the drone).”

His never-ending inquisitiveness knows no bounds, and he spoke to us with his eyes brilliant.

Conversation thru agriculture, share your passion and thoughts

Learning from a father's example.

A happy sideline of the introduction of the agricultural drone, which is requested to co-operate between father and daughter, has been increasing conversation both.

Miyoko: “I am impressed by the increased opportunities for both of us (my husband and daughter) to talk through this drone. Hope it's good for my family to have something in common, so I'm glad we can share of our experiences!”

For him, it seems as if the familiarity of agriculture is connected to the next generation of his daughter in the natural conversation. The natural style of gentle compassion each other even the warmth of truth of mind.

Mirai:” Been watched farm work since I was a very young child, so I understand how hard it is. I would like to help even a little when I have time and make it easier for my father.”

Kazutoshi is striving to pass to the next generation on an enrichment of agriculture and food. Like Mirai, she feels that her generation would surely be interested in agriculture if only they could have the opportunity to experience smart farming technology, then that could improve the future of agriculture.

The Kawasaki family will keep on continuing to create their style of agriculture so that related people in agriculture can stay true to yourself in a future-oriented mind.