High School Students Lead Agriculture Experience Project via Roblox to Expand Agricultural Engagement

Expanding Agricultural Engagement: A New Approach by Metagri Institute

In a world where traditional farming is facing a crisis, the Metagri Institute is introducing innovative solutions to reshape how agriculture is perceived by the younger generation. Under the direction of Yuichiro Kai, the CEO, and based in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, the organization is responding to the acute shortage of farmers through a unique initiative – a 'Metaverse Agricultural Experience Project' led by high school interns. The first outcome of this endeavor is the game 'Get the Metavege!', now publicly available on Roblox. This project aims to broaden the ways young people can engage with agriculture, extending beyond traditional pathways into farming.

Understanding the Background: The Agriculture Workforce Crisis

Japan's agriculture is currently undergoing a significant structural transformation. According to a report from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the average age of core agricultural workers has risen to 67.6 years, marking a decline for the first time since 1995. The number of pivotal agricultural workers has decreased by roughly 340,000 since 2020, now standing at 1.02 million. While the lowering average age might suggest a rejuvenation of the farming sector, this trend masks a deeper issue of older farmers leaving the industry in large numbers.

The focus of previous agricultural policies has predominantly been on increasing the number of new farmers. However, the critical issue lies deeper—young people today have fewer opportunities to engage with agriculture, which ultimately stifles their interest in this field. Without exposure, there is no curiosity; without curiosity, the prospect of farming doesn't enter their consideration. This illustrates the urgent need for mechanisms that provide young individuals with opportunities to explore agriculture, discover its interesting aspects, and feel motivated to get involved.

Innovative Engagement Strategies

Metagri Institute believes in expanding the 'engagement with agriculture' by promoting diverse participation methods. Engaging with agriculture can encompass various roles, not just farming or harvesting. This includes becoming individuals who communicate the appeal of agriculture, designing agricultural experiences, creating related content, or bridging agriculture with technology. The core philosophy of Metagri Institute is that widening the engagement spectrum will ultimately help solve the structural issues surrounding the shortage of agricultural workers.

As part of this mission, Metagri Institute has established an internship program targeting high school and university students, enabling them to participate in numerous projects. These include reporting and article creation for agricultural AI media, organizing AI video contests in collaboration with local governments, and developing agricultural experience games on Roblox.

What binds these projects is that interns are not merely passive learners; they are given the responsibility to plan, execute, and disseminate their ideas actively. The emphasis is placed on the intern's passion for agriculture and their desire to engage, regardless of their prior knowledge or skills in farming or programming.

The agricultural experience game 'Get the Metavege!' is a direct outcome of this philosophy. It aims to communicate the joys of farming to young audiences and serves as a new entry point for them to engage with agriculture.

Get the Metavege! A Game for the Future

The creative mind behind 'Get the Metavege!' is a current high school intern, Sae from N High School. Inspired by her interest in agriculture, she decided to propose the development of an agricultural experience game on Roblox, aiming to share the joys of farming with her peers. Over four months, Sae led the entire development process—from conceptualizing the game and designing game mechanics to producing characters and testing functionalities. The game encourages players to work cooperatively to cultivate a farm, engaging with various mini-games and harvests to experience the fun of agriculture firsthand. The project involved the innovative use of AI 3D modeling tools to create an original character named 'Metaguri-kun,' combining agricultural themes with digital artistry.

This project represents a vital step in addressing the agricultural workforce challenge by shifting the narrative. Instead of merely asking, “Who will engage in farming?”, we must start asking, “Who will communicate, deliver, and create connections within agriculture?” The diverse ways of participating highlighted by this initiative showcase the students’ capacity to redefine engagement with agriculture through their initiatives.

Moving forward, the Metagri Institute intends to continue enabling high school and university interns to serve as articulate representatives, communicators, and creators of agriculture-related experiences.

About Metagri Institute

Founded with the vision of integrating agriculture with new technologies, Metagri Institute aims to foster sustainable agricultural practices. Since commencing operations in March 2022, over 1,300 individuals have joined the community, driven by a fearless approach to experimenting with innovative ideas. Those interested in exploring the intersection of agriculture with generative AI, blockchain, or the metaverse are encouraged to join this vibrant community.

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