Strengthening Resilience Through "Farming for the Next 100 Years."
Sakanotochu Ltd.
| Updated | July 10, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Publication date | May 10, 2019 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries |
Company Overview
Sakanotochu Ltd.was founded in 2009 under the vision of "Farming for the Next 100 Years." to propose novel ways for vegetable production and consumption. We aim to "expand sustainable agriculture" by selling vegetables grown by new entrant farmers from non-farming backgrounds without relying on chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and chemically synthesized pesticides. We have established partnerships with approximately 300 farmers who support our concept and operate a subscription-based produce delivery business as our core business, as well as wholesale business for retail stores and restaurants. Our business has been expanding rapidly. In 2016, we began supporting coffee cultivation in Southeast Asia and marketing in Japan as an initiative to resolve social issues in developing countries. We also provide training and assistance for cultivation techniques and quality control in the production areas. In 2016, we received the “Certificate to an enterprise weaving next 1000 years” from Kyoto City. In 2018, we were also selected as one of the Companies Driving Regional Growth by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI). In 2023, we were also selected as one of the outstanding impact startups under the program of J-startup Impact by METI which intensively provides support to impact startups with high potential in public-private collaboration.
Climate Change Impacts
Due to the impact of climate change, crop yield is projected to decline by 5-30% in Southeast Asia by 2050. The challenge in Southeast Asia is to address the impacts of climate change on agriculture, which is a means of livelihood for many people, and we are committed to strengthen climate resilience in the region.
Adaptation Initiatives
Based on agricultural techniques with low environmental impact, we have constructed an agricultural system that can contribute to people's livelihoods by adapting to climate change with agricultural products that matches the local climate, soil quality, historical culture, and other existing contexts. In our overseas operation, we handle specialty coffee beans from rare regions in Asia such as Laos and Myanmar, as well as from various countries around the world including Oceania, Africa, and Central and South America. We offer wholesaling green beans for roasters as well as retail sales of roasted beans.
In 2016, we launched our “Mekong Organic Project”. In Laos, where the forest loss due to slash-and-burn agriculture and large-scale plantation development has become a social issue, we proposed a farming technique to grow coffee trees in forests (i.e., agroforestry) to local farmers in the production area. We also provided guidance on cultivation methods and quality control (Fig. 1-2). Considering differences in social and environmental status among regions and through close communication with producers, we have been providing technical support for effective utilization of regional resources. These include agroforestry (a farming technique ensuring forest conservation, agriculture+forestry=agroforestry) , measures against pests and diseases, technical guidance on organic fertilization to improve productivity and soil quality, and a production technique to increase fructification on coffee trees and other crops.
Since 2018, we have expanded our business to Myanmar, the Philippines, and Nepal, changing the project name from "Mekong Organic Project" to "Uminomukou Coffee".
For both the domestic vegetable sales business and the overseas coffee business, we make sure to share the "stories of the producing areas and producers" to consumers, with the aim of building relationships that encourage continuous purchases and realizing stable sales.
Effects / Expected Benefits
Our business enhances climate resilience of agriculture by instructing local farmers on cultivation methods which mitigates the impact of climate change. We will also ensure the sustainability of local agricultural production by securing stable profits through the development of domestic and international sales channels and markets, the return of these profits.
