Smart Farming in Tokyo Enlists Fewer Farmers as Quality Tomatoes are Grown in Greenhouses Using 5G + Smart Glasses

(Photo : Kazuhiro Nogi / Getty Images)
Smart farming could be the answer to the declining number of farmers in Tokyo.

Tokyo's issue of having fewer farmers is addressed by a smart farming method that uses 5G and smart eyewear and is attracting interest from all around the world.

Dwindling Birth Rate Means Fewer Farmers

Japan has been seeing a declining birth rate and an aging population, which leads to certain obstacles with its agriculture sector being one of the most challenging.

This has resulted in a significant drop in agricultural laborers, with key workers in private farming enterprises decreasing by 394,000, constituting a 22.4% decline from 2015 to 2020, falling from 1.76 million to 1.36 million.

The 2020 Census of Agriculture and Forestry in Japan, published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, revealed that 69.6% of these key agricultural workers were 65 years or older, marking a 4.7% increase in the average age of laborers over five years.

This trend jeopardizes Japan's food production capacity and global agricultural competitiveness.

To counteract this, various entities, including NTT AgriTechnology Corporation, are implementing innovative smart agriculture initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce labor needs.

Quality Tomatoes, 5G, and Smart Glasses

In 2020, NTT AgriTechnology, Tokyo Development Foundation for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation (NTT East) launched a three-year collaboration for a project known as "cutting-edge agriculture," which will be using private 5G.

The project, now in its third year, aims to create a Tokyo-based model to enhance Japanese agriculture.

Private 5G offers stable communication, ideal for addressing immediate crop issues.

Greenhouses in Chofu City, Tokyo, equipped with private 5G, grew tomatoes using ultrahigh-resolution cameras and smart glasses.

The collaborators explained that automation manages greenhouse environments, optimizing crop photosynthesis by monitoring temperature and indoor CO2 levels.

Even inexperienced workers achieved quality tomato production through remote guidance.

Additionally, the project established a local production for local consumption model, selling tomatoes within Chofu City and supplying local elementary schools.

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Smart Farming Tailor-Fitted for Japan

The Netherlands and Spain have exemplified the successful implementation of advanced environmental management technologies and labor optimization in establishing large-scale agricultural systems.

The Netherlands, the world's second-largest agricultural producer with an area roughly 40% of Japan's, serves as a compelling model.

NTT AgriTechnology representatives conducted research in the Netherlands and were particularly impressed by the semi-automated and standardized operations in large-scale greenhouse horticulture systems.

However, replicating this model in Japan presents unique challenges due to seasonal variations, including summer heatwaves, typhoons, heavy snowfall, and coastal winds.

Additionally, the shortage of experienced growers and workers in large-scale greenhouse horticulture required innovative solutions.

Their objective was to develop a versatile facility, incorporating knowledge acquired overseas and integrating monitoring systems focusing on labor and work management, as well as digitalization.

This Tokyo-based agricultural innovation has attracted agriculture professionals and researchers worldwide.

The strategic location in Tokyo, easily accessible for international visitors, has garnered substantial attention.

NTT AgriTechnology is now considering global dissemination of these technologies along with training programs.

This Tokyo-based agricultural system holds the potential not only to address issues within Japan's agricultural sector but also to contribute to alleviating global food crises.