Strawberry farmers can't sleep because of packing... Japan's first "sorting system" solves strawberry farmer's worries Delivering delicious, less damaged strawberries [From Saga]

FNN Prime Online

Agriculture is facing a problem of a decrease in the number of producers due to the lack of successors and the aging of the population due to heavy labor. One of those crops is strawberries. In order to solve the problem, a state-of-the-art system was introduced for the first time in Japan in Saga. [Image] Instantly digitize shapes, colors, and weights to make packing more efficient

70% of the work is packing, sleep time is reduced due to labor shortage

Color, shape, weight, etc. are instantly analyzed and sorted into data. The processing capacity for packing has more than doubled compared to before, and the quality has improved due to fewer opportunities to touch strawberries. Strawberry “smart farming” is progressing. From December 2021, a strawberry package center in Shiroishi Town, Saga Prefecture, has been refurbished and started to move. Strawberry farmers in Kohoku Town: JA Saga, who is very helpful in our labor shortage Tomokazu Akasaka, Horticultural Guidance Section, Kifuji Horticultural Center: A very efficient system for both producers and workers Which strawberries can be packed The latest smart system that solves whether it is good or not came to Shiroishi-cho. Ichigo-san, a local variety that has just started harvesting in its fourth year. The number of producers in the prefecture has reached 621 as the switch from 'Sagahonoka' has progressed. The cultivated area has increased to 110.6 hectares, about 90% of the total. Katsunobu Katabuchi in Shiroishi-cho, who has 27 years of cultivation history, was also harvesting in his 21 areal greenhouse. Mr. Katsunobu Katabuchi, a strawberry farmer: I think this year's production is quite sweet Mr. Katabuchi, who started using the package center two years ago when he switched from "Sagahonoka" to "Ichigo-san," why? Strawberries? Farmer Katsunobu Katabuchi: At the time of "Sagahonoka", there were only me and my wife, so the full "Strawberry" yielded 1.2 to 1.3 times more than "Sagahonoka". This increases the burden on producers. moreover…. Mr. Katsunobu Katabuchi, a strawberry farmer: I slept 3-4 hours a day for 1-2 months. It feels like I'm being chased by packing all day after harvesting. During the peak season, about 70% of the time spent packing strawberries in strawberry cultivation. It is said that there are many producers who cut their sleep time to work.