Global warming and Japanese farming
The world is facing global warming and climate change - but what does that mean for rice cultivation in Japan?
Rice is the staple food in Japan and it would be unthinkable to have a shortage and require an alternative main dish for Japanese Washoku cuisine.
So what is Japan doing to combat the rising temperatures?
There are two main measures that have been implemented by farmers in Japan.
1. Create heat-resistant crops
Rice is usually a heat-sensitive crop, but some new varieties are better at withstanding the changes in weather.
These include the 'Genki Tsukushi' variety in Fukuoka, and the “Sai no Kizuna” variety in Saitama to name a couple.
2. Change the timing of rice-planting
Usually the transplanting of rice is done in May - but this is now often done in June.
This means that the harvest time is later and the full-grown rice crops can avoid the extreme heat in late summer.
Are there measures being done in your country by farmers, to counter the changes in global climate?