Kamikawa Agricultural Experiment Station (KAES)
About us
The Local Independent Administrative Agency Hokkaido Research Organization (HRO) is a general research institute which established by Hokkaido local government, involving approximately 1,100 employees in 21 hubs.
The organization comprises of five main research department. Kamikawa Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) is one of the eight AES under the agricultural research department.
Kamikawa region is known as famous agricultural area of paddy in Hokkaido. Furthermore, much of upland crops and vegetables are developped in northern area of Hokkaido. We support these crop productions with new varieties and new cultivation technologies.
A purpose of our development is high yield, high quality, easy cultivation, environmentally friendly, low-cost and labor-saving production. We wish our technologies will lead to flourishing by farmers.
History
Our station has established in 1886 and has contributed to agricultural development in northern Hokkaido, mainly in Kamikawa district.
1886_Chubetsu Agricultural Test-field was established in Kamui village
1886_relocation to central Asahikawa town
1890_reorganization to Kamikawa Agricultural Test-field
1901_reorganization to Hokkaido Prefectural Local Agricultural Experiment Station
1905_relocation to Nagayama village
1910_reorganization to Hokkaido National Agricultural Experiment Station, Kamikawa branch
1950_reorganization to Hokkaido Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Station, Kamikawa branch
1964_rename to Hokkaido Prefectural Kamikawa Agricultural Experiment Station
1994_relocation from Nagayama, Asahikawa city to the present place in Pippu town
2010_reorganization to Kamikawa Agricultural Experiment Station, Local Independent Administrative Agency Hokkaido Research Organization
Climate
Annual average temperature is 6.4℃ in Asahikawa, which is especially lower in winter than Sapporo.
We take much snow fall in winter, from late November to early April, and total snow fall come 557cm and average maximum snow deposit is 89cm in Asahikawa. Soil freezing is not caused.
An annual precipitation is about 1100mm, which is lower level in Japan, and it falls 40% in from July to September, therefore upland crops can growth without irrigation. On the other hand, irrigation system is constructed in some area recently for the purpose of stabilization of crop and vegetable production. In puddy, irrigation systems are well constructed.
Agriculture
Arable area in Kamikawa is 130,500 ha (11% of Hokkaido), and 5,800 farmers produce 125 billion JPY (960 million USD, as 130JPY/USD) agricultural production. One third value (31%) of the production is produced by vegetables, 22% is by milk and livestock, and only 28% is by puddy rice (2020).
Puddy rice is produced in 27,800 ha which is 22% of Hokkaido (2021), and main upland crop is wheat, buckwheat, and soybean. Onion, pumpkin and sweetcorn are top 3 vegetables in this area.
Organization
We have only one research division, and its includes 2 research groups. Every group has sub research teams.
Our staff is total 29 members, included 21 researchers, 3 field support stuff (tractor operator), 5 office clerks. Additionally, 3 technical staff for agriculture belonging to Hokkaido government is staying in our station. They are active with our area support staff.
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Our Studies
Rice Breeding
High-quality, stable and high-yielding rice varieties suitable for each area of Hokkaido are developed.
Goals of development: cold tolerance, resistance to diseases, induced by low temperature.
Support of Other Crops Breeding
Tests on regional adaptability and cultivation methods of major field crops in Kamikawa, such as wheat, potatoes, and sugar beets, soybeans, azuki beans, kidney beans and various tests on highly profitable, are performed.
Cultivation system
Direct seeding as a re-new production system of rice is studied from the aspects of production cost reduction, mechanization, labor saving, and high efficiency.
Fertilization and Agro-environment
Appropriate fertilization method is developed based on soil and crop diagnosis are developed.
Direct seeding rice production systems which take few man-power and sustainable high yield, are studied.
We estimate the effect of new fertilizers and soil conditioners developed by commercial company for general use.
Measurement of environmental conservation and soil surveys are also studied.
Pest Management
Reliable environmentally friendly pest management methods are developed according to occurrences for important pests that are difficult to be controlled for main crops and Vegetables produced in Kamikawa.
Pests are predicted and diagnosed, and tests are performed to examine the effects of new agricultural chemicals.
Horticultural Crops
Tests on regional adaptability and cultivation methods of some field vegetables are performed.
Especially we try to develop the cultivation systems under the environmental control for vegetables, such as tomatoes, and leaf vegetables in simple green house.
Local Support
We have solved technical problems for local agriculture through verification tests for spreading new technologies. Conference on the support of local agricultural technologies have been held every year to introduce these new technologies. Also, we have cooperated with local agricultural technologies and extension division to support local agriculture.
Access
Our station is located at 43.8593 N, 142.4815 E.
From Pippu railway station | 2.6km, 40 min walk. No taxi service from the station.
From Asahikawa railway station | 17km, 40 min. by local bus service. (Please contact us when you use bus)
From Asahikawa Airport | 26km, 40 min. by car.
Research Visit
Research engagement with other researchers and agricultural stakeholders is always welcome to maximize agricultural benefits. Please send us the official request paper from your manager of the organization.
Contact Us
E-mail｜kamikawa-agri@hro.or.jp
Phone｜+81 166 85 2200
Fax｜+81 166 85 4111
Postal address｜5, Minami-1, Pippu, Hokkaido, 078-0397 JAPAN