LOVE Sanuki's report

The 77th Sanuki Hime (Princess Sanuki)^*

One of the major projects of Yoshimoto, "A project to live in your town", to make Japan feel good from the area. Entertainer "Kaji Tsuyoshi" who lives in Kagawa reports on local products.

reporter

KAJI Tsuyoshi

NSC Osaka school 22nd grade
2005 Formed "Katsuyama Kaji" with Moody Katsuyama
2008 ABC Comedy Newcomer Grand Prix Newcomer Award
2010 Active as a pin entertainer
Birthplace: Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture Born March 1981, 3

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Strawberry cultivation in Kagawa began in the Taisho period. In 2005, Kagawa Prefecture's original variety "Sanuki Hime" was born. At the end of February, when spring was just around the corner, Mr. Kaji visited Sankyu Farm in Kanonji City, Kagawa Prefecture, where Sanuki Hime is grown.

^*About the notation of "Sanukihime"
　Although it is displayed as "Sanukihime" at the distribution and sales stage, the registered variety name is "Sanukihime".

Sanukihime, an original variety of strawberry from Kagawa Prefecture

Many greenhouses are lined up on a spacious farm facing Hichinada in the western part of Kagawa Prefecture.Sankyu Farm cultivates strawberries in this greenhouse.Mr. Shunsuke Kubo of Yukyu Farm showed us around.
"It's ripening, isn't it? It's the peak of the harvest."
“As it gets warmer, the strawberries are turning colors one after another,” says Kubo.
"Sanuki Hime" is an original variety from Kagawa Prefecture. In 2005, it was bred by crossing the typical strawberry varieties of the time, "Tochiotome", "Sachinoka" and "Sagahonoka".
The variety name "Sanukihime" is based on the desire that many people love Sanuki-born strawberries.Cultivated throughout Kagawa Prefecture, about 1,650 tons are shipped annually.
Harvest season is from November to June. During the cold months of January and February, the grapes grow slowly and carefully, and the harvest increases from around the end of February when the weather warms up.Yukyu Farm harvests 11 tons per year in four greenhouses.
“One strawberry weighs lightly, so 1 tons is a huge amount,” said Mr. Kaji.
Improving work efficiency with Rakuchin cultivation in Kagawa Prefecture

"Sanuki Hime" is cultivated above the ground.It is a method called "elevated hydroponic cultivation" that grows strawberries with a special nutrient solution, and is called "rakuchin cultivation" in Kagawa Prefecture.
“I can work while standing, so work efficiency is good,” says Kubo.In the old days, strawberry producers often hurt their backs during management and harvesting.More than 90% of strawberry farmers in Kagawa Prefecture use elevated cultivation methods such as “Rakuchin cultivation”.
Converting Cultivation Technology into Data with IT-based “Smart Agriculture”

"I heard that Sankyu Farm is also working on 'smart agriculture' using IT," says Kaji.
Mr. Kubo told me that they have incorporated a system called the "Sanuki Farmers Station" that accumulates data such as "temperature", "carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration", and "solar radiation" and can be viewed on a computer or smartphone. “It’s cool,” said Kaji with great interest.
The machine of "Sanuki Farmers Station" is installed in the house.This machine automatically operates ventilation fans, heaters, carbon dioxide (CO2) generators, lights, and watering devices based on the settings.For example, it is preset to turn on the heater when the temperature drops below a certain number, and to generate carbon dioxide (CO2) when the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) drops below a certain ppm.
Watering is done by diluting a thick nutrient solution (fertilizer) with water using a watering device.conventional soil cultivation^{* 1}When it rained, it was difficult to adjust the amount of watering because groundwater would seep into the plants. .

*1 Soil cultivation is a method of cultivating directly in the soil inside facilities such as greenhouses.
Strawberries absorb water differently on sunny days and cloudy days.If you water too much, the taste will be watery, and if it is not enough, the growth will be poor.We optimize the amount of watering based on the accumulated solar radiation data.
"Agriculture has evolved so much, isn't it?" Beside Mr. Kaji who was surprised, the carbon dioxide generator was operating and blowing air.
“The use of IT has reduced the labor of farmers, but it is not just a matter of using IT. How to set watering and temperature control is up to each farmer,” says Mr. Kubo.
At Yukyu Farm, we have converted the experience of farmers and techniques that used to rely on perceptions into data, leading to improved quality and increased yields.
Experience harvesting Sanukihime strawberries from Kagawa

Kaji decides to experience picking strawberries.
"It doesn't matter the size of the strawberries. When the fruit turns red, it's time to harvest," says Kubo-san.To avoid crushing the fruit, hold it gently and twist it to form a fruit stalk.^{* 2}It pops off from the
"Can I pick this?"

*2 The fruit stalk is the part that branches off from the branch or stem and grows thin, and the fruit is attached to the tip.
“Sanukihime is characterized by its large and round shape. Please try it.”
Mr. Kaji was recommended to try the freshly picked fruit.
"It's delicious. It's sweet and juicy. But it's not only sweet, but you can also feel the original acidity of strawberries, and it's really delicious."
Sanukihime has a rich aroma and a good balance of sweetness and sourness, so it is recommended to eat it without adding anything.
"Sanuki Hime" is also shipped to the Kansai area

Strawberries produced here have been shipped to major supermarkets in Kansai for about 20 years.
"Sanukihime" harvested in the morning is shipped in the afternoon of the same day, and is lined up in the store the next morning.
Mr. Kubo looks back on the problems every year and works to improve them so that he can deliver even more delicious "Sanukihime".
“I would like to continue using IT to take on new challenges and deliver 'Sanukihime' to many people.”
Mr. Kaji was impressed that delicious strawberries were born with steady efforts and the latest technology. "I want you to try the really delicious 'Sanukihime,'" he said.