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Kumiai Chemical's 14th Student Essay Contest for Sustainable Agriculture

Kumiai Chemical, a leading player in supporting global agriculture and food, is excited to announce the start of its 14th annual Student Essay Contest. Beginning May 15, students are invited to share their ideas on the theme, "The Future of Food and Agriculture: Realizing a Sustainable Society". The contest aims to gather innovative proposals that address pressing issues in agriculture and food production.

Agriculture has evolved significantly over time, thanks to the ingenious ideas and hard work of countless individuals. Advances such as improved breeding techniques and the introduction of chemical pesticides have greatly enhanced food security and efficiency in farming, allowing for remarkable increases in crop productivity. However, today's world faces a multitude of challenges, including rapid population growth, environmental changes, an aging farming workforce, and the alarming rise of abandoned farmland.

Kumiai Chemical recognizes the importance of tackling these issues and is actively seeking new technologies and strategies that integrate various fields. As a company committed to supporting the future of food and agriculture, we believe that students hold the key to innovative solutions. That's why we are once again excited to invite young thinkers to contribute their bold and creative ideas for a sustainable future.

Contest Details

The essay contest is open to all students currently enrolled in universities, graduate schools, agricultural colleges, junior colleges, and vocational schools. Collaborative essays by groups are also permitted.

Theme: "The Future of Food and Agriculture: Realizing a Sustainable Society"
Participants are encouraged to address topics relating to food, agriculture, and sustainability in any way they see fit. Some suggested themes include:

• - Implementing large-scale food drives in apartment complexes to reduce food waste
• - Aiming for a Zero Abandoned Farmland Society across borders
• - Spatial economics approaches to boost regional agriculture
• - Proposals for addressing challenges in agriculture and sustainable practices
• - A scientific approach to a second Green Revolution

Submission Guidelines

1. Eligibility: Open to all eligible students from relevant academic institutions.
2. Content: Essays must be original and written in Japanese.
3. Limitations: Each individual or group can submit only one essay.
4. Format: Essays should be composed in Microsoft Word. The length should be between 4,000 and 10,000 characters (approximately 3 to 7 A4 pages in landscape mode).
5. Submitting: Essays can be submitted via email to ronbun@kumiai-chem.co.jp or through postal mail (include a CD-R or DVD-R with the essay).
- The essay should include a title page, abstract, and body, with the title and author's name on the cover.
- An abstract should be included on one A4 page summarizing the essay's content.
6. Deadline: The submission window is from May 15 to October 31, 2025 (postmarked on the final day).
7. Awards: Exceptional essays will be rewarded, with the Grand Prize of ¥500,000, Excellence Award of ¥200,000, and Special Prize of a year’s worth of rice.

Results Announcement

Winners will be announced in February 2026. We look forward to receiving insightful and groundbreaking submissions from students passionate about food and agriculture. Let’s work together to create a sustainable society! For further details, please visit Kumiai Chemical’s official essay contest page.

By encouraging student involvement, Kumiai Chemical aims to pave the way for a future where sustainable agricultural practices and food innovation thrive, powered by the brilliant ideas of the next generation.