Study tour of the DOAE delegation and project farmers to Japan 2025

The study tour on sustainable agriculture and circular farming systems took place from August 10th to 16th, 2025, in the Prefecture of Chiba and Tokyo, in Japan. The program focused on exploring innovative farming models, smart agriculture, biochar research, and carbon market mechanisms. There were nine places in total that the Thai delegation visited this time, together with the GETHAC Project team.

Visit 1: Narita Farmland 

Narita Farmland is a unique enterprise integrating demolition, recycling, and agriculture into a circular system. The company’s main business involves demolishing approximately 30 wooden houses per month, with a strong commitment to sustainability. 

Besides the demolition business the farm offers fruit picking for visitors, a restaurant to dine in, fresh produce sales, and playground facilities for children. The location is convenient (20 minutes from Narita Airport), which attracts both local and international visitors.  Narita Farmland demonstrates a successful model of circular economy by transforming construction waste into valuable agricultural inputs. By combining several businesses, it creates a full-cycle system from demolition to food production and tourist attraction. 

Visit 2: The Farm Narita 

The Farm Narita is located in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture and represents a creative response to rural depopulation and the abandonment of farmland. With government encouragement, the project transformed unused agricultural land into a multifunctional agri-tourism destination. The concept is broad: visitors can stay overnight (different accommodations), camp, participate in farm activities (planting, harvesting), enjoy gardens, patios, BBQs, cafés, even a spa (“onsen”) component. The cost per person (including farming activities + spa) is relatively high (~100 EUR), positioning the farm toward visitors with more purchasing power.  

The project blends nature, agriculture, and leisure, illustrating how mindset and concept – not just technology – can drive sustainability and rural revitalization. Though they did not share much about their soil preparation or core agronomic methods, the visible condition of soil and crops was impressive, indicating thoughtful cultivation. 

Visit 3: JIRCAS – Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, Tsukuba City 

Japan’s International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) is an agency of Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries founded in 1970. JIRCAS is Japan’s only national institute that funds research on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries for the benefit of the developing countries. 

We met with Dr. Yanagihara Seiji (Vice President) and Omori Keisuke (Head of Information), among others, who presented the Green Asia Initiative. This is part of Japan’s broader policy under the MIDORI (Measures for achievement of Decarbonization and Resilience with Innovation) strategy for sustainable food systems. The initiative seeks to develop innovations suitable for monsoon-affected regions (like parts of Southeast Asia) and to foster collaboration among researchers, farmers, and policymakers across countries. 

Visit 4: Kozaki Tobu Agricultural Cooperative 

The Kozaki cooperative manages about 100 hectares in the Kozaki district. Kozaki Tobu exemplifies efficient cooperative farming that combines digital innovation with traditional crop rotation to enhance productivity and sustainability. They are using a mix of crop rotation (rice, wheat, soybeans), precision agriculture tools (GPS-guided tractors, fertilizer mapping, drone spraying), mobile irrigation management, and decision-support systems to optimize inputs. Their cooperative structure gives farmers access to shared infrastructure and knowledge, which helps scale up efficiency. 

What is notable is how hands-on they are with data: soil tests, mapping, adjusting fertilizer amounts by zone, using digital platforms. They are not massively industrial farms; rather, they are modernizing smaller/medium-scale operations, showing how smart farming can be incremental yet effective. 

Visit 5: Sumikko Farm (Biochar Field Trial with Green Carbon Co.) 

One of the field trials of Sumikko Farm observed, was with Biochar made from rice husks, applied at 30 kg per test plot (equivalent to 400 kg per 1,000 m²). The objective is two-fold: increase yield and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The trial began in April 2025, so results are not yet visible. Still, the conceptual design is interesting: using agricultural by-products, returning carbon to soil, possible yield improvement, and environmental benefit. 

Visit 6: NARO – National Agriculture and Food Research Organization 

NARO is Japan’s leading agricultural research institution, with 2,784 employees and a budget of nearly 100 billion yen. Founded in 2001 NARO is Japan’s central agricultural research organization under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), playing a key role in promoting and developing agricultural technologies to support sustainable food production and enhance global competitiveness. NARO also has multiple regional research centers: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Central, Western, Kyushu-Okinawa.  

It hosts specialized institutes for crop science, fruit/tea science, vegetable/floriculture science, agricultural machinery, robotics, etc. The goals include increasing productivity, stabilizing yields under climate stress, reducing environmental burden, and supporting smart agriculture under Japan’s Society 5.0 framework.  

Our visit to NARO included a detailed presentation of its structure, research strengths, and priorities as well as an in-depth lecture of biochar and its application on small, medium and large scale. 

Visit 7: Mizuho Village Marketplace (Landowner-Market Owner Model) 

Mizuho Village Market Place, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, is a market selling agricultural products from local farms. The main products found here include fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits, traditional sweets and processed agricultural products.  

We met the owner of Mizuho Village Marketplace, a 77-year-old entrepreneur who owns land and runs the retail store in the Ibaraki region. His business philosophy centers on quality over quantity, reinforcing local food value chains.  

Visit 8: Green Carbon Inc. 

Green Carbon operates as an intermediary project developer, between farmers and investors in the carbon credit market, focusing on generating, managing, and trading certified carbon credits.  

Green Carbon illustrates how the carbon market can incentivize sustainable farming, aligning climate action with farmer income generation. The company develops carbon credit projects (long-term), ensures certification and quality, works with farmers to adopt sustainable practices (that generate credits), then links these credits to corporate investors seeking offsets. 

Visit 9: JA Tokyo Agri Park 

Situated in Shinjuku, Tokyo, this institution is founded by JA Tokyo Central, JA Zenno Tokyo, and the Tokyo Agricultural Association. The center serves as a bridge between farmers and urban consumers. 

The Agri Park is a multipurpose building with event halls and direct-sale booths, hosting seminars, workshops, and exhibitions. It frequently hosts events (~50 per year) promoting local food and agricultural education. Events range from family days, cooking workshops, seasonal produce festivals that help citizens reconnect with farming, understand seasonal cycles, and purchase food directly from producers.  

After the Study Visit, GETHAC, DoAE and the farmer representatives from six crop groups regularly update each other about practices they have observed in Japan and would like to adopt it in Thailand such as biochar production from crop residues and options to make high value products.