“I don't like farming” The machine introduced by the farmer was amazing, December 2, 17:55

A sweet sweet apple from Aomori Prefecture with plenty of “honey” inside. Its taste is appreciated not only in Japan but also overseas, and in recent years the export volume has increased rapidly. I thought that the local production area would be lively, but there was the same problem of declining birthrate and aging that many farmers all over Japan had. I want to find tips for solving problems. When I proceeded with the interview, I saw an exciting scene at the foot of the World Heritage Site, Shirakami Mountains. (Aomori Broadcasting Station Hirosaki Branch Reporter Chisa Hiraoka)

Apple kingdom pinches

The apple orchards that have been left unattended are over 40 hectares throughout Aomori Prefecture. It is increasing year by year. The risk of apple illnesses arising from these “robot gardens” spreading to the surrounding fields is increasing in many places, and many apple farmers feel uneasy about the future of the industry.

Looking for the answer to the town of Wasao ... what I saw there! ?

One day, I heard that there is an apple farmer who has acquired the global safety certification “Global GAP” for agricultural products, while listening to the dark story gradually. Farmers who are willing to obtain international certification must be doing something advanced. Immediately with that idea, I went to meet the farmer.

I headed to Ajigasawa Town at the foot of the Shirakami Mountains. Although it is a small town that became famous for its “Basakawa” known as the “Busagawa Dog”, it is also known locally as the origin of the kind of “Kodama” apple.

It takes about 10 minutes to drive through the forest along the prefectural road that runs through the center of town. When I arrived at the vast apple garden, I jumped into a big machine with wheels that looked like a robot in anime. Impressive is the long arm that stretches out from the red body.

I was thrilled to see it for the first time, being puzzled, "What is this?"

Happy harvest

When this machine is first seeded, it will be named “Hand Harvesting Harvester”. As its name suggests, it is used when harvesting apples by hand.

In normal apple harvesting, the ladder goes up and down repeatedly while holding a basket that becomes heavier as the fruit is picked. This puts a heavy burden on the shoulders and waist.

But with this machine, the burden is all gone. If you ride on a moving pedestal, you can easily harvest even the apples at high places. Moida apples are automatically thrown into a large basket when placed on a belt conveyor that stretches like an arm.

I had no experience of agriculture at all, but I never experienced a burden on my body. I was able to work happily, saying, “I can easily do it for my weak people!”

The solution is in mechanization

Although the introduction was a little late, this machine was introduced by Mr. Shigeki Kimura, a veteran of this road for over 30 years. I grow apples with 11 employees. There were many apple farmers who stopped growing in the surrounding area, and no one was found to work long in their own apple garden.

“The problem is that there are no successors and young people don't settle. I think it ’s difficult to continue to be an apple farmer, and I must do something before that.”

As a solution, Mr. Kimura considered mechanization of harvesting work, which has not yet progressed in Japan. At Kimura's apple orchard, in addition to the machines used for harvesting, seven machines have been introduced, including a machine that determines the size and sugar content of apples. This is because we wanted to create an environment where everyone can work to eliminate labor shortages.

More easily!

There is another thing Mr. Kimura worked on in improving the working environment. It specializes in processing apples for processing juices and jams.

Apples that are eaten raw take a lot of time and effort, such as removing the leaves around the fruit and moving the fruit so that it is evenly exposed to sunlight. By cultivating only processing apples that don't matter how they look, we don't have to do all this work.

These efforts are very popular with employees. It is said that there was a job offer from a university student outside the prefecture who visited for an agricultural experience.

(Female employee) “Women can work alone. Even if they do not have physical strength, they can work without farming experience, so there will be more young people interested in agriculture.”

Not only good things

Although Kimura-san's efforts seem to be a good thing, there are challenges. Most of these machines are imported from countries such as the Netherlands and Germany where agricultural IT is progressing. The introduction cost was 45 million yen. Kimura by, for example, raking subsidies, such as country and prefecture, says was able to somehow make the prospect of funding.

In addition, the local criticism of mechanization itself remains strong. It was a tradition and custom to grow apples with time and effort.

“I hate agriculture”

Still, Mr. Kimura who wants to proceed with mechanization efforts. When I ask the reason, I'm laughing with excitement.

"I hate farming."

"... ?? I hate agriculture!"

When I was confused, he told me, “I hate it, so I thought I could do it because I wanted to make it easier”.

Even if you spend time and effort, your income will not increase. There is no guarantee of two days a week working from morning to evening. Mr. Kimura, who was watching his parents working as an apple farmer, said he hated agriculture. We want to reduce the burden on employees because we know the facts well. That thought is driving Kimura-san.

I feel that the future image of the apple industry can be seen in the figure of Mr. Kimura who says that he can't hesitate even if he buys a machine and holds debts. “I hate agriculture”. I suddenly thought that the lie-free words would trigger changes in Japanese agriculture.

Aomori Broadcasting Station Hirosaki Branch Reporter Chisa Hiraoka After entering the police department in 2018, apple pie has recently been able to be made in the production area of ​​apples, Hirosaki