Experiencing Rice Planting and Wildlife Surveys in Saitama City

On May 30th and June 13th, Saitama Prefecture's Palsystem Cooperation held engaging rice planting and wildlife survey events at the "Kinoko Field" located in Iwatsuki Ward, Saitama City. Collaborating with the Southern Saitama Direct Supply Network, families from about 15 households participated in these immersive experiences designed to deepen their understanding of agriculture and ecology. The initiative runs continuously until the harvest in September, allowing families to interact with producers while enjoying activities like weeding and biodiversity surveys.

A Refreshing Encounter with Nature

During the initial planting session, temperatures soared above 30 degrees Celsius, yet participants eagerly stepped into the cool, refreshing waters of the rice paddy. Under the guidance of producers, they learned the step-by-step procedure for planting rice while carefully navigating the muddy terrain. Families experienced the delightful sensation of the mud squishing between their toes, as they planted the local brand rice variety, “Saito no Kizuna,” across the field.

Many families opted to take some rice seedlings home in a bucket to observe their growth first-hand. They shared updates and enjoyed the daily progress of the seedlings through a dedicated open chat group, enhancing community engagement.

Dedicated Rice Planting

Adapting to Nature’s Needs

Two weeks later, during the second session, instead of the planned weeding, participants shifted their focus to a crucial operation known as "catch planting" in areas where rice seedlings had not sufficiently grown. Thanks to the skills acquired in the first session, participants navigated the paddy confidently, completing the task with ease.

Biodiversity and Wildlife Surveys

The Kinoko Field, maintained without the use of pesticides, is home to a varied array of wildlife. The wildlife survey enabled participants to recognize the diversity of this habitat by counting and identifying various species. Palsystem routinely conducts similar surveys in direct supply areas across the country, building a database of environmental health connected to agricultural practices.

With muddy hands and joyful excitement, the children were proactive in discovering different creatures such as fairy shrimp, tadpoles, and frogs. The collected data will help Palsystem assess ecological conditions over time, showcasing the success of sustainable agricultural practices in direct supply regions.

Discovering Wildlife

Cultivating Understanding Through Continuous Engagement

The Southern Saitama Direct Supply Network has long advocated for environmentally friendly agriculture practices, refraining from harmful synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. In 2011, they collaborated with the WAKO Network (Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture) and Palsystem Federation to establish the Saitama Direct Supply Council, promoting sustainable agricultural development and environmental conservation through consumer-producer interactions.

These seasonal interactions, such as the Iwatsuki Field Exchange program, build mutual understanding and trust between consumers and producers, highlighted by local initiatives that deepen community ties.

As Palsystem Saitama continues to strengthen partnerships with local producers, they remain committed to promoting sustainable production and consumption in the years to come.

About Palsystem Saitama

Located in Warabi City, Saitama, Palsystem Saitama serves over 230,000 members with a significant business milestone of 33.8 billion yen as of March 2026. Their mission is to foster community prosperity while ensuring environmental sustainability through innovative agricultural initiatives.

For further information, visit Palsystem Saitama.