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For the realization of our vision
Setting and Fundamental Technologies for R&D Issues

Target 1

Agriculture and farmers

Sustainable “Rice Cultivation”
Research and Development Task 1

Passing down the master's soil preparation techniques to the next generation

Achieve goals

Big data collection from farm fields

  • Digitalization of rice farming ecosystems
Principal Investigator RIKEN
Plant-Microbe Symbiosis Research and Development Team Leader

Yasunori Ichihashi

International activities like TCFD and TNFD are leading to significant changes in industrial structures.
In this situation, I am looking for a place where I can contribute as a researcher, and I have arrived here. Centered around Professor Ogasawara, members full of human charm are gathered by a mysterious attraction, and this is the hottest place in Japan. I would like to discover new science in Nagaoka, the land of rice, the soul food of Japan.

Research and Development Task 2

Artisan Soil-Making Microbial Compost

Achieve goals

Microbial compost development

  • Develop microbial compost
  • Establishment of custom-made pest control technology
Principal Investigator Nagaoka University of Technology
Institute of Engineering, Department of Materials and Biological Sciences, Associate Professor

Yosuke Shida

In Task 2, we will utilize the big data on rice cultivation constructed in Task 1 to develop optimal microbial compost for rice cultivation, focusing on the microbial communities in paddy fields under organic and conventional farming methods. The goal of microbial compost is to "return what is generated from the paddy field back to the paddy field," utilizing unused bio-resources discharged from the region (especially those derived from rice cultivation and the rice food industry) as materials. We will proceed with its development by applying the microbial community prioritization technology possessed by our university. By integrating the technologies of our university and participating institutions, we will advance research and development to contribute to the establishment of environmentally harmonious and resource-circulating agriculture.

R&D Challenge 3

Reduce labor in organic farming

Achieve goals

Rice farming support robot connecting consumers and farmers

  • Development of autonomous support robots
Principal Investigator Nagaoka University of Technology
Technological Research Institute, Department of Technological Innovation, Professor

Tadachika Nakayama

When I spoke with farmers, I learned that they are having a great deal of difficulty with farm work, including weed control. Although high-performance agricultural machinery is being developed, it is expensive and difficult for small and medium-sized farms to adopt.
Our university has developed various products through joint research with companies, utilizing our manufacturing technology. Furthermore, many talented students with a background in robot competition development enroll here. We would like to work with farmers and everyone else to consider new ways of rice cultivation that alleviate the burden of agricultural work and, by leveraging IT technology, involve urban citizens.

Target 2

Related industries

Next-generation food production utilizing underutilized resources“
Research and Development Task 4

Production base for fermented edible oils
Entering the bio-market

Achieve goals

Development of Fermented Microbial Products with High Added Value

  • Fermentative production of valuable substances from unused resources
  • Search for useful microorganisms
Principal Investigator Nagaoka University of Technology
Technological Research Institute, Department of Technological Innovation, Professor

Ogasawara Wataru

It is said that there are millions of species of microorganisms in the world, but fewer than 11% have actually been cultured. Our laboratory possesses world-class technology for screening useful microorganisms from populations numbering in the millions.The Niigata region is home to a thriving fermentation industry, producing soy sauce, sake, and other products. We aim to create new industries in Niigata by using the power of microorganisms to convert waste products—such as rice-washing wastewater and rice husks, which have previously been discarded—into useful products.

R&D Task 5

Winter job creation
Creating New Industries from Local Resources

Achieve goals

Development of resource-recycling land-based aquaculture technology

  • Development of palatable bait
  • Feed production from unused resources
Principal Investigator Nagaoka University of Technology
Technological Research Institute, Department of Technological Innovation, Professor

Takashi Yamaguchi

With concerns about food crises due to global population growth and abnormal weather patterns, land-based aquaculture technology is gaining attention. A major challenge in land-based aquaculture is securing feed for farmed fish. However, if local underutilized resources can be used as palatable feed, it will be possible to produce farmed fish stably and affordably. This project aims to realize resource-circulating land-based aquaculture technology by involving various individuals, including high school students, technical college students, and university students, through repeated dialogues.