The long daylight hours and daily temperature differences produce delicious tomatoes. Furthermore, the limited company "agrimind" realizes "future agriculture" by implementing the latest technology.
In addition to the management of the tomato farm, Chairman Atsushi Fujimaki is also a representative of the Hokuto city Agricultural Enterprise consortium. The consortium is a cooperative organization with companies, research institutions, and agencies related to agriculture in Hokuto city. I went to learn more about future agriculture originating from Hokuto city.

"The balance of texture, sweetness, sourness and the high concentration of lycopene are characteristic for the by Kagome-developed tomatoes." When he says this, Mr. Fujimaki offers us freshly picked tomatoes. While we are wondering about all the delicacy squeezed into this tomato, Mr. Fujimak continues to tell us about the fully systemized Agrimind horticultural facility.

The Agrimind method is based on the technology of the world's largest agricultural powerhouse, the Netherlands. If we are going to focus on agriculture, I thought, we should set the Netherlands as a target for our Japanese harvest quota. So, when we went for an inspection and saw a new form of agriculture where everything was computer-controlled; we knew we have to integrate!" It is surprising that the amount of harvest of Agrimind is now the same as the top-level in the Netherlands.

The house where we are growing our crop here is a semi-closed model that has little contact with the outside air. "When we enter the house, we change clothes other than our underwear and disinfect many times. Also, employees are prohibited from growing tomatoes at home or putting raw vegetables in their lunch boxes. Kitchen gardens are more prone to pests than you might think and they could easily be carried around without realizing it. " A scrupulously clean room. Another feature is the ICT managed environment. "The grower in charge will every day take in the weather, temperature, and humidity conditions of the house where the tomatoes are cultivated, regulating the temperature, carbon dioxide, and the nutrition levels. Although automated, operations are still done by human hands. It wouldn't do if there was nobody to talk to the tomatoes." A thorough environment and the hearts of those who love tomatoes. This is the reason why the tomatoes taste to well.

Future agriculture could very well be remotely controlled by computer and smartphone. We asked Mr. Fujimaki why they had chosen Hokuto city. "To grow tomatoes a region with long sunshine hours is most favorable. This area has the longest daylight hours in Japan, clearing the first condition. Then, a clear temperature difference between warm and cold is important. The sugar content produced during the daytime will then be accumulated during the night. This is something that can be done very well in this area. "

Mr. Fujimaki is also the founder of the "Hokuto city Agricultural Enterprise consortium" that connects agricultural companies in Hokuto city.
"I want to create a Hokuto city brand. To that end, I called on everyone to come together as one. My idea is it would be better to share each other's technology and know-how, to raise the overall level." Currently, 15 companies have joined the consortium with a common desire to make genuine vegetables in the rich soil of Hokuto city.

"The available plots of land in Hokuto city spread over different altitudes, therefore you can choose the location suitable for each kind of crop. Also, hydroponic companies can still come to Hokuto city because of its abundant availability of water." There are five water systems in Hokuto city, and depending on the kind of crop there are a variety of waters to choose from, such as, close to pure water and mineral-rich water.

To make delicious vegetables, Mr. Fujimaki continues to contribute to the local community while cooperating with other companies. We asked him what his next goals were, and he answered, "training young people." "Agriculture has an image of being tough but now, we can grow good vegetables by combining machinery and human hands. This is an important industry that directly connects with lives. Therefore, I hope people have pride in their work."

Hokuto city's agriculture continues to evolve by incorporating the opinions of young people.
Once again I felt appreciative for being able to eat delicious and safe vegetables.