Press Release
Young farmers’ challenge
Make taro as a special product of Odawara !!
Two young farmers in Odawara City have started taro cultivation for harvest in November 2023. With the cooperation of farmers in the Oniyanagi district of Odawara City, we are working to develop new specialty products using fallow fields.
■Planted area/2 hectares, Expected harvest/25 tons(2023)
Farmers’ profile
Toyoaki Hosoya
Born in Hokkaido in 1975. After studying in England, worked at a food delivery company in Tokyo. In 2019, started agricultural training in Shimosoga, Odawara City, and in 2022, became a certified new farmer in Odawara City. 3 years of farming experience. Specialty/Strengths in crop PR, sales promotion, and Internet-related fields.
（As of October, 2022）
Story of Hojo Taro
Origin of the name “ Hojo Taro”
The product name is a combination of "Hojo", the family name of the Samurai once ruled huge Kanto area based in Odawara castle, and “Taro” most popular male name of Japan. We chose this nickname evokes the person's name, so that people in Odawara City and customers all over the country can remember it with familiarity.
*Trademark registered/in progress
Origin of the species
This taro (local variety), which has its roots in Jonenji Temple in Odawara, was widely cultivated throughout the Kanto region before the Second World War due to its excellent taste. After that, production declined, but the seeds that had been preserved in the Kanagawa Prefectural Agricultural Technology Center have been revived by volunteer farmers recently. "Hojo Taro" is based on this taro.
Initiatives for SDGs
We are working on composting waste mushroom beds that are treated as industrial waste in the process of mushroom cultivation and returning them to the field.
Cultivation & Harvest Report
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Securing a field in a neighboring town. This field, which was full of weeds, was also maintained thanks to the contractor.
Sunday, March 6, 2022
We transported waste mushroom beds from shiitake farmers in Odawara City.
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Farming has started. Sprinkle Magnesium Lime and compost (waste mushroom beds) and cultivate with a tractor.
Friday, April 1, 2022
Sterilize the soil to prevent the larvae of scarab beetles, the natural enemies of taro.
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Seed planting has started.
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Taro sprouts have come out early. Grow up !!
Saturday, May 28, 2022
Steadily growing.
Friday, July 15, 2022
It is growing big without losing to the drought! I have to irrigate soon.
Saturday, August 6, 2022
We are plagued by the weed problem.
Monday, August 8, 2022
I dugged up one stock to confirm the growth of the taro, but it seemed that they weren't still there.
Friday, August 19, 2022
Comparison with a field scattered with normal compost and waste mushroom beds. The initial growth is overwhelmingly better on the waste mushroom beds!
Monday, August 29, 2022
Mowing the lawn today. Last night's raindrops left on the taro leaves and what a wonderful sight !!
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
The mowing that took 3 months is finally over. I have to thoroughly weeding next year. It was a summer with many regrets.
Friday, October 21, 2022
The baby taros were growing. The harvest is finally approaching.
Saturday, October 22, 2022
I started cutting the stems for harvest.
Sunday, Nobember 27, 2022
Digging has finally started !!
Monday, Nobember 28, 2022
2nd day of excavation. We dug out half the field.
We will keep you updated as the harvest progresses !!
