Winners of the First 'Food and Agriculture Connection Award' Announced

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has recently declared the winners of its first 'Food and Agriculture Connection Award'. This initiative was established to honor exceptional organizations and enterprises that demonstrate excellence in connecting food and agriculture, forming part of the broader 'Nippon Food Shift' campaign.

Overview of the Award

In line with the amendments to the Fundamental Law on Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas enacted in 2023, and the recently approved new food, agriculture, and rural development plan, the government has emphasized the importance of collaboration and mutual understanding among stakeholders in the food system. The award aims to recognize individuals and organizations contributing to this vision. A selection committee comprised of experts reviewed numerous submissions and determined the award recipients based on their outstanding efforts in enhancing collaboration in the food and agriculture sectors.

Award Recipients

The awards were segmented into different categories, each spotlighting unique contributions:

Stable Food Supply Category

- Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award: Chino Corporation. This organization revitalizes idle farmland, utilizing AI and drones for precise fertilization, significantly boosting rice production while promoting environmental conservation.
- Director of Minister's Office Award: Tannbo Corporation and Iwate Bank. They developed an application that simplifies and visualizes the consensus-building process, facilitating the integration of various stakeholders in regional agricultural land aggregation projects.
- Export and International Bureau Director Award: Aile Ltd. This company created a functional food product using locally sourced okra, successfully penetrating new markets including overseas.

Ensuring Food Access Category

- Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award: Second Harvest Japan, a certified NPO. They have been providing food support to those in need, especially disaster victims, and played a pivotal role in establishing sustainable food bank operations.
- Director of Minister's Office Award: Tokushimaru Co., Ltd. By collaborating with local supermarkets to provide mobile sales, they have fostered community engagement and contributed to regional revitalization.
- Consumer and Safety Bureau Director Award: Ken’ichi Narita, who independently operates both a mobile supermarket and a food bank, ensuring access to food for underserved populations.

Establishing Sustainable Food Systems Category

- Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award: Global Fish Inc. They commit to supporting the purchase of seafood at stable prices during peak catches, employing advanced technology to enhance freshness and ensure consistent supply according to demand.
- Director of Minister's Office Award: Hirai Akira Shoten. This business connects producers with snack manufacturers by transforming underutilized local agricultural products into confectionery ingredients.
- Butaifarm Co., Ltd. operates plant factories resistant to environmental fluctuations through AI and automation, contributing to reduced carbon emissions as well as lowering costs and waste.

Development and Promotion of Smart Agricultural Technologies Category

- Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award: AGRIST Inc. showcases a harvesting robot for bell peppers, merging deep tech with agricultural practices for a sustainable farming model nationwide.
- Director of Minister’s Office Technology Advisor Award: Serac Co., Ltd. They developed 'Midori Cloud', which translates field conditions into usable data, revolutionizing farming practices and helping farmers expand their operating scales.
- Tabetech Inc. employs plasma technology to maintain the freshness of produce without relying on chemicals or refrigeration, thereby curbing food waste and enhancing export competitiveness.

Award Ceremony

The award ceremony is set to take place on November 8, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 1:55 PM at Meiji Yasuda Hall located in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Only awardees, their associates, and press personnel are permitted to attend the event. Those wishing to cover the ceremony must apply via the designated press application form by November 7, 2023, at 5:00 PM.

Related Website

Visit the official site for more information: Nippon Food Shift

This award represents a significant step toward fostering innovative solutions to address challenges in the food and agriculture sectors throughout Japan, underlining the importance of collaboration and sustainability in the pursuit of a more effective food system.