Japan shares ag challenges

A SIDE-TRIP to the University of New England’s “Smart Farm” was inserted into a flying three-day visit to Australia by the Japanese Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, Yoshitaka Shindo, who believes information technology is key to aiding Japan’s ailing farm sector.

Mr Shindo thinks despite the differences between Australian and Japanese agriculture - the average size of a Japanese farm is about two hectares - there are also similarities in the challenges that the two countries face.

And Mr Shindo believes that a common solution lies in better use of information communication technologies (ICT).

“Australia and Japan share a problem - the farmers are getting old,” Mr Shindo said through an interpreter. In 2010, the average age of the Japanese farmer was 70.

“At the same time, young people have this perception of very hard labour and isolation on the farm. We actually have to change that, to make farming more attractive to young people.

“That means we have to enhance efficiency and productivity of the farms. We can utilise ICT information communications technology - and that’s where Australia and Japan farms can work together."

To read more, Japan shares ag challenges

Adapted from Farm Weekly