Key Facts
• August 10–11: Record rainfall hit Kumamoto Prefecture, severely impacting Yatsushiro agriculture.
• 90% of farmland in Yatsushiro, approximately 6,000 hectares, was submerged.
• Major crops affected: ginger, tomatoes, rush grass, strawberries, cabbage, and broccoli.
• Ginger farms in Toyo Town buried under mud and debris from landslides.
• Estimated ginger crop damage exceeds ¥100 million, according to JA Yatsushiro.
• Over 860,000 seedlings of tomatoes, strawberries, and other crops confirmed dead by August 22.
• Cabbage farmer Kenichi Takehara reported 60% seedling loss due to 50 cm flooding.
• Rush grass storage sheds and weaving machines were submerged, raising concerns over equipment damage.
• Damage assessments, including machinery and pesticides, are ongoing, with completion targeted by late August.
• Kumamoto Governor Keiji Kimura pledged tailored measures to protect the region’s agricultural production.
Summary
Record-breaking rainfall on August 10–11 caused widespread agricultural damage in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture. Approximately 90% of farmland, spanning 6,000 hectares, was submerged, severely affecting key crops like ginger, tomatoes, rush grass, and strawberries. Ginger farms in Toyo Town were buried under landslides, with damages estimated at over ¥100 million. Over 860,000 seedlings of various crops were confirmed dead, and cabbage farmers reported significant losses. Rush grass storage facilities and weaving machines were also submerged, raising concerns about equipment functionality. Damage assessments, including machinery and pesticides, are ongoing, with completion expected by late August. Governor Keiji Kimura emphasized the importance of protecting Yatsushiro’s agricultural industry and pledged targeted support measures.
