[Visiting a Branch Producer] Re-visiting "Okukuji, Ibaraki Prefecture," the Most Promising Production Area

This time, I visited the "JA Hitachi Oku-Kuji Branch Producers' Association." Oku-Kuji refers to the combined area of Hitachiomiya City, Hitachiota City, and Daigo Town in Ibaraki Prefecture.

My last visit to Oku-Kuji was in August 2023. While that was in mid-summer, this time it was late November, early winter.

On the day of my visit, Chairman Kikuchi himself was skillfully cutting about 40cm branches from a perfectly round heavenly bamboo bush. These branches will be distributed nationwide and used in New Year's arrangements and other decorations.

Chairman Kikuchi

The Oku-Kuji area strongly supports Ibaraki Prefecture, which ranks first in branch production nationwide. However, it only began as a production area in 2005. At that time, local residents stood up to regenerate "abandoned farmland (former farmland without successors)," which was increasing due to the aging of farmers and depopulation, into branch fields. This was the beginning of their efforts.

Kotaro Ishikawa, one of the central figures, recalls, "At first, people laughed at me, saying, 'Planting trees in a field is outrageous. There's no way these will sell.'"

Kotaro Ishikawa

The association, which Kotaro Ishikawa started with eight colleagues, grew to 148 members by the end of 2024. Shipment value also saw significant growth, surpassing 100 million yen in fiscal year 2018 and over 200 million yen in fiscal year 2023.

While branches generally don't require specialized skills compared to other agricultural products, and outdoor cultivation keeps greenhouse maintenance and fuel costs down, a major hurdle was that it takes over three years from planting to the first harvest.

Therefore, they targeted "retired farmers" as new branch producers, recommending that prospective farmers start planting 3 to 5 years before retirement. By cultivating branches as a kind of weekend migration while still employed, they can start shipping immediately after retirement, allowing them to earn an income that supplements their pension.

In 2014, approximately 10 years after becoming a branch production area, a "forcing facility" was completed to control the blooming of their main product, flowering peach.

Every year from late November to around March, this facility is filled with flowering peach branches that bud here before being shipped out.

Another unique feature of Oku-Kuji is its "multi-product production area" characteristic.

Over 250 types of branches, including Enkianthus perulatus, Natsuhaze, Rhodotypos scandens, Russian Olive, and Smoke Tree, are shipped annually.

While other regions often specialize in a limited number of varieties, Oku-Kuji has almost no restrictions on cultivation varieties. Each member can cultivate their preferred varieties and choose their own shipping market.

Each producer tries to catch market trends and challenge themselves in cultivation. While some may fail to thrive in the environment, a successful attempt can lead to a great opportunity! This freedom is said to contribute greatly to the revitalization of the production area.

Recently, not only retirees but also a growing number of young people have started farming here.

Yusuke Yanagida, who represents the youth group, transitioned to branch farming at the age of 40. About 8 years later, he now ships 30 to 40 items annually.

Yusuke Yanagida

On the day of my visit, a "Mezoroi-kai" study session was held to unify shipping size and coloring as a production area, and everyone participated with serious expressions.

SiKiTO's subscription service has delivered branches from Oku-Kuji, including Enkianthus perulatus, Rosa multiflora, Russian Olive, Kerria japonica, and Cornus alba.

May the branches, carefully cultivated by the producers in harmony with nature, beautifully adorn our customers' lives.

 

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