CULTA Strawberry Cultivation Innovation: Testing New Variety 'CULTA-T3L' in Nishimikawa

Cultivating Innovation in Strawberry Production

In an exciting development for strawberry farming, CULTA, a Japan-based agricultural startup, is implementing a groundbreaking project in collaboration with Nishimikawa Agricultural Cooperative (JA Nishimikawa). The focus is on the new strawberry variety known as 'CULTA-T3L,' trademarked as 'SAKURA DROPS.' This initiative reflects a commitment to overcoming production challenges and securing the quality of strawberries even in the face of rising temperatures and market demands.

Background: Challenges Facing Strawberry Farmers

For many years, strawberry growers in Nishimikawa have relied on established varieties like 'Akihime.' However, they have faced climate-related challenges that have significantly impacted both the quality and quantity of their harvests. High summer temperatures and the earlier onset of summer have led to inconsistencies in production, making it difficult for farmers to maintain their output. Furthermore, the historical use of softer-skinned varieties has made exporting these strawberries a complex challenge.

Recognizing these obstacles, CULTA has introduced the 'CULTA-T3L' variety within this testing project, involving three designated strawberry producers from the area. The collaborative effort seeks to evaluate whether this new breed can effectively resist quality degradation under late-harvest heat conditions.

Economic Model Innovation

CULTA's approach goes beyond simply introducing a new strawberry variety. The initiative incorporates a comprehensive pricing model that guarantees producers a fixed price throughout the year, along with the promise of purchasing the entire crop. This is a significant step toward enhancing the profitability of strawberry farming and providing stability to local producers in an unpredictable market.

In conjunction with the 'CULTA-T3L' variety, CULTA is also actively conducting cultivation tests on several promising new candidates. This forward-thinking strategy is primarily aimed at understanding and preparing for their potential large-scale production in the future.

Initial Results and Market Progress

Though the production tests are still ongoing, CULTA has already begun to purchase some of the harvested fruits, marking a significant step in their market entry strategy. The strawberries that have been shipped are now being exported to international markets, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. This not only highlights the viability of the 'CULTA-T3L' but also underscores the company's commitment to expanding its presence in overseas markets.

About CULTA

CULTA is at the forefront of agricultural innovation, specializing in developing strawberry varieties resilient to high temperatures and capable of thriving in the face of climate change. Unlike traditional breeding methods that often take a decade or more, CULTA's rapid development cycle has enabled them to introduce four varieties in just three years.

The 'CULTA-T3L' strawberries exhibit impressive characteristics, including a 30% increase in yield and a 40% boost in sweetness levels, setting a new standard for quality in strawberry production. By the winter of 2025 and spring of 2026, CULTA plans to have these strawberries cultivated in Japan and Malaysia, targeting urban markets across Southeast Asia for their sales.

In addition to strawberries, CULTA is keen to extend its expertise to other sustainable fruit crops, focusing on varieties such as grapes, apples, and citrus fruits, with plans for further expansion into coffee and bananas.

Future Vision

CULTA is ambitious about securing intellectual property rights for its varieties, aiming for global distribution beyond the Japanese market. They envision a future where Japanese agricultural varieties become recognized worldwide for their quality and resilience, fully embracing their role as a leader in agricultural innovation in the face of climate challenges.

For more information, visit CULTA’s official website. If you have any inquiries related to this initiative, please reach out to CULTA's PR department at [email protected].