Strength of Japan agri - water

In Japan, when discussing Japanese agriculture matter, negative sides and problems are taken up and discussed usually. And in fact there are a lot of things that Japanese agriculture must overcome in order to maintain Japanese agriculture industry. However this time we are taking positive side, and this article is focusing on water as one of the strengths of Japanese agriculture.

When you buy crops, what factors do you care about?
In addition to the price and the freshness, some of you might care about whether the crops is imported or domestic, the appearance, the area where the crops were produced, the brand, producer information, the way of cultivation and etc., there would be some points (which you take care of), depending each person.Among those points, the question about how much pesticides is used for this crops would be in the corner of your mind always. Since we general consumers have the desire to eat vegetables (for which pesticides are not used) as much as posible, generally pesticide-free crops/vegetables is traded at a higher price than the other of the same crops. Athough it has been long time since the term "safety of food" was introduced in Japan, choosing safer crops is the matter of course in all countries.

However, there are more important points (which we have to take care of), than the used amount of pesticide. It is the water used in the process of crops growth. Water is indispensable element for crops to grow everyday, and it is fundamental elements which configure the crops itself. For example, even if the crops is produced with pesticide-free, if the water is contaminated or the quality of the water is bad, it influences the quality of crops a lot, irrespective of whether pesticide is used or not.

In terms of this quality of water, Japan have very blessed agricultural resource in the world. Out of all japan nation land, 70% of it is hilly and mountainous areas and most those areas remains intact without development due to Japan goverment's various regulation. In Japan agricutlure, the water filterd in such nature is available free and actually used.

The crops (which is produced in this high quality water) would be valuable, even from foreigner perspective. This would become one of clues to invigorate Japanese agriculture, by differentiating Japanese crops.

With respect to "food of safety", it would gather more and more attention in the world from now on. At that time, if Japan can explain this value to the world clearly, it would become one of big strength in order to help Japanese agriculture.