Today, we had a productive meeting at Kinomori in Kumano City to discuss the Kinan Open Field Initiative with Professor So Fujiyama from Mie University, Kumano Shindo Director Carolina Carvalho, and our Chief STEAM Educator Amy Arnett. This initiative, a groundbreaking platform led by Mie University, aims to promote sustainable agriculture and regional revitalization. Over the past two years, the foundation for this platform has been established, and the next ten years will be a critical period for its further development and promotion.
At Kumano Shindo, we are eager to actively contribute to this transformative effort. Over the past few years, this initiative has focused on Mihama Town, and going forward, it plans to expand its activities further. A key example is the Kinan Dream Farm, a sustainable model farm in Mihama Town utilizing automation technology to cultivate high-quality citrus with minimal labor. Additionally, strengthening the agricultural ecosystem is a crucial target, challenging the traditional “grow and harvest” concept by connecting farmers with technology, marketing, and global experts through ICT.
Alongside the rich local community, growing Kinan’s "connected population" (kanren jinko) is essential. This project aims to cultivate at least 40,000 connected individuals, including people from outside the region and tourists, over a five-year period starting in FY2025. Statistical data has shown that approximately 5% of the connected population transitions into deeply engaged participants who play a core role in local activities. This makes cultivating an engaged "connected population" a critical goal for regional revitalization. By leveraging ICT technologies like VR and AR, the initiative connects global experts and practitioners in smart agriculture, logistics, and marketing, unlocking new possibilities for the region’s growth and innovation. We are truly excited to be part of this incredible journey!
