Technology Jul. 14, 2011 - 06:15AM JST ( 7 )

TOKYO —

Fujitsu Limited and Sowakajuen Co have started field testing related to the use of ICT in the cultivation of mandarin oranges in Japan. The project aims to improve productivity in growing the fine-quality, delicious Arida Mikan brand of mandarin oranges.

The field test’s main objectives include enabling workers to complete the proper work tasks at the appropriate times, measuring operational costs, and helping veteran farmers pass down expert knowledge to younger generations. Specifically, the project will employ cloud computing, sensors, smartphones, and PCs in the following initiatives:

1. Data - including air temperature, precipitation, and soil temperature data collected by sensors in fruit groves, worker work logs recorded using smartphones, and photographs taken at the groves - will be stored at datacenters and put to future use.

2. Each of the approximately 5,000 trees will be assigned an ID number with characteristics such as daily changes in growing conditions and emergence of any diseases or pests, closely managed.

3. By analyzing the large quantity of data from both present and past, the information will be used for future production processes.

The field test will leverage Fujitsu’s cloud computing technologies, Fujitsu Laboratories’ sensor technologies, and a special smartphone application. Furthermore, the use of weather and agricultural data, as well as the delivery of past data, will be handled under the guidance and cooperation of the fruit testing laboratory of the Wakayama Research Center of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The city of Arida in Wakayama Prefecture intends to use the results from the field test to strengthen the Arida Mikan brand and revitalize the region. At the same time, the city will help promote the understanding of the technologies employed during the test and spread their use among mandarin orange growers in Arida City.

JCN Newswire