Key Facts
• Rice prices have fluctuated due to the “Reiwa Rice Crisis” over the past year.
• National average rice price dropped for 9 consecutive weeks, reaching $24.50 for 5 kg.
• Premium rice brands in Fukuoka remain expensive, priced between $30.50 and $32.70 for 5 kg.
• Farmer Kazunori Tanaka, 61, introduced “regenerative double cropping” to boost yields.
• This method allows two harvests from a single planting by cutting rice higher (40–50 cm).
• Climate change extended the rice growing season in northern Kyushu by about one month.
• Tanaka expects a 1.5x yield increase compared to traditional methods.
• The technique requires no new machinery, only earlier planting.
• Currently, one of Tanaka’s 40 fields is testing this method; expansion to 20 fields is planned.
• Government policy shift from reducing to increasing rice production supports this innovation.
Summary
Amid fluctuating rice prices and record heat, Fukuoka farmer Kazunori Tanaka is pioneering “regenerative double cropping,” a method leveraging climate change to increase rice yields. By harvesting rice higher and allowing regrowth, this technique enables two harvests from one planting, potentially boosting yields by 1.5 times. With no need for new machinery, the method is cost-effective and sustainable. Northern Kyushu’s extended growing season, now spanning March to November, has made this innovation feasible. Currently in a trial phase on one field, Tanaka plans to expand to 20 fields next year if successful. This aligns with Japan’s policy shift toward increasing rice production, offering a promising solution for farmers to reduce costs and ensure long-term sustainability.
