Title:
Rural Revitalization in Shikaoi Town by Circular Economy and Precision Agriculture
Author(s):
Jindo, K., Njane Njehia, S., Nagasaki, Y.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Shikaoi Town in Hokkaido, Japan, faces challenges common in rural areas, including labor shortages, an aging population, and high energy demands. In response, the town has advanced a model integrating circular economy principles and precision agriculture. The Nakashikaoi and Urimaku biogas plants process livestock manure, straw, and household waste to generate over 2 million kWh of electricity annually, powering 80% of local households. Fermented digestate is used as fertilizer, and surplus heat supports off-season crop and aquaculture production. Hydrogen from biogas fuels vehicles and plans are underway for fuel cell tractors. Shikaoi also leads in precision agriculture. Local farmers adopt autonomous tractors, UAVs, IoT sensors, and AI tools for optimized crop management. Variable-rate fertilization is guided by high-resolution satellite and drone data. Cabbage harvesting is mechanized using AI-driven robots, reducing labor needs by half. Post-harvest, an AI-based potato sorting system analyzes millions of images to classify quality, reducing manual labor and enabling data-driven crop improvement. Shikaoi’s integrated approach has increased cattle numbers and farm profitability while enhancing sustainability. Its innovations in energy, automation, and waste valorization offer a replicable model for rural revitalization and climate-smart agriculture.
Keywords:
anaerobic digestion, hydrogen, manure, alternative fuel vehicle, biofertilisers
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Biomass resources and potentials
Event:
33rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1BV.3.23
Pages:
131 - 135
ISBN:
978-88-89407-25-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/33rdEUBCE2025-1BV.3.23
Price:
FREE
