Friday, February 21, 2025
On Tuesday, February 18th, in the Mayor's Office of Hokuryu Town Hall, the "Sunflower Watermelon Producers Training Guidelines" written by Takada Akimitsu, head of the Sunflower Watermelon Producers Association, and Sato Kosuke, were submitted and reported to Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro.
"Guidelines for training new sunflower and watermelon farmers"
The "Training Guidelines for New Sunflower and Watermelon Farmers" define a system for enabling new farmers from the Hokuryu Town Sunflower and Watermelon Producers Association to become independent as producers from the standpoints of Hokuryu Town, the producers association, leading farmers, and trainees, and were established with the aim of building a system of cooperation among them.
High-quality training, obstacles (disclaimers), responsibilities and roles of each party involved, and cooperation mechanisms are carefully defined.
The story of Kosuke Sato
"These guidelines are merely a first step, with a goal beyond that.
First, they present measures to ease the anxiety of job seekers when choosing a workplace, as well as the attractive selling points of the production cooperative.
Furthermore, I feel that there is a need to disseminate information to highlight Kitaryū Town's 40 years of agricultural achievements and brand power, and to further strengthen this.
By improving training content and support systems and clearly identifying risk areas, weaknesses can be turned into strengths.
To create a system to highlight this strength, we plan to promote the town's attractions on the Hokuriku Town Website and Hokuriku Town Portal, as well as creating and distributing a more detailed, comprehensive paper pamphlet.
As a result, we hope to gain more trust and credibility, which will lead to an increase in applications for new farming jobs," explains Sato.
Akimitsu Takada, Union President
"The trainees who have visited Hokuryu so far have a broad perspective and are able to see the charm of Hokuryu from various points of view.
I treasure the connections I have made with the young people who trained in Hokuryu Town. There are still many young people with whom I keep in contact. I listen to what they have to say, give them advice, and look after them like my own children.
The problem now is the preparation of land at the start of new farming. This has been pointed out for a long time. Our farm is preparing land (8 tan) for new farmers. We have secured one piece of land by renting it as land for new farmers to become independent.
We are also preparing a seedling facility where trainees can train alongside new farmers during their training period.
"Nowadays, it is quite difficult to find land with a house and barn attached. However, I feel that it is necessary to build a system to accept such land, assuming that remote monitoring devices and greenhouse control systems (automated opening and closing, remote monitoring, remote operation systems, etc. can be operated with a smartphone) will enable monitoring and operation even in town homes," says Takada, offering various suggestions.
Yasuhiro Sasaki Mayor's Message
"The town will also be completely revamping its website starting in April. This is a great proposal at a very good time. The town will continue to cooperate as much as possible. I look forward to cultivating the best sunflower watermelons!" said Mayor Sasaki.
We sincerely hope that the ``Sunflower and Watermelon New Farmers Training Guidelines'' will help develop a solid system throughout the town, deepen trust, and support the training of new farmers, and will contribute to the development of agriculture in Kitaryū town.
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◇ Reporting and writing by Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editorial assistance by Noboru Terauchi) 
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