How Japan is using tech and partnerships to protect its agriculture
Sources of informationFebruary 17, 2026 | World Economic Forum |
Japan is deploying smart agricultural technologies and public-private partnerships to adapt farming to accelerating climate impacts. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan recorded a +1.48°C temperature deviation in 2024, the highest on record, causing widespread chalky rice grains and poor fruit set across 60-70% of northern Japan. In response, heat-tolerant rice varieties now cover 206,000 hectares, a 2.5-fold expansion over the past decade, representing 16.4% of all staple rice production. Smart agriculture technologies in paddy cultivation have reduced labour hours by an average of 9%, with pesticide-spraying drones cutting working time by 61% and automated water management systems by 80%. The Act on the Promotion of Smart Agricultural Technology, enacted in October 2024, establishes certification schemes and provides financial incentives for technology adoption. Shizuoka Prefecture has also launched a regional initiative for avocado cultivation as crop suitability zones shift.
Viewed Articles
February 17, 2026 | World Economic Forum |Â Japan is deploying smart agricultural technologies and public-private partnerships to adapt farming to accelerating climate impacts. According to the Ministr
Read More
October 20, 2025 | CGIAR | The featured CGIAR article focuses on food and materials innovation, demonstrating how broken rice starch—which makes up over 15% of milled rice—can be combined with seaweed
October 22, 2025 | CGIAR | The International Water Management Institute’s (IWMI) initiative to expand solar irrigation highlights not only the benefits—lower energy costs, reduced diesel dependency, a
February 07, 2024 | Food Navigator Europe |Â Olam Food Ingredients (ofi) unveils its ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions in coffee production by 30% before 2030, aligning with its broader sustain
August 20, 2025 | Nature |Â Researchers and start-ups showcased 5 emerging innovations at the F&A Next meeting hosted by Wageningen University & Research, highlighting their potential to reduce agricul
February 26, 2025 | World Economic Forum (WEF) |  Vertical farming offers a climate-resilient, space-efficient alternative to traditional agriculture, but many ventures have struggled due to economic—
