渇水かっすいで農作物のうさくもつへの影響えいきょう懸念けねん 小泉こいずみ農相のうしょう “状況じょうきょう応おうじ迅速じんそくに対策たいさく”

Due to concerns about the impact of drought on agricultural crops, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi inspected Niigata Prefecture, a major rice-producing region, and expressed his intention to promptly consider countermeasures as appropriate to prevent any effects on crop growth.

In some areas such as Hokuriku and Tohoku, there are concerns about the impact of drought caused by low rainfall on the growth of crops.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Koizumi visited Niigata Prefecture, a rice-producing region, on the 3rd to assess the situation, and inspected the Otaniuchi Dam in Tsunan Town.

At the time of the 3rd, the water storage rate of this dam had dropped to 6%, and water supply has been suspended since the 31st of last month.

Local rice producers who use water from the dam said, From now on, its a crucial period for crop growth, so were worried about the impact. In response, Minister Koizumi explained that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is currently taking measures, such as dispatching water trucks to various areas according to local requests.

After the inspection, Minister Koizumi told reporters, The trends in rice harvest yields are a matter of public interest.

After understanding the situation on the ground, we want to quickly implement measures that are needed, he said, expressing his intention to promptly consider countermeasures as appropriate so that the growth of rice will not be affected in the future.

According to the Yamagata Local Meteorological Observatory and others, Yamagata Prefecture has been experiencing record heat and little rain since July this year.

Due to this impact, according to agricultural cooperatives throughout the prefecture, in areas where river water is used for agricultural purposes, there have been cases where a sufficient amount cannot be secured. As a result, there have been reports of rice turning yellow and withering, or the ears not developing properly, raising concerns about a decrease in harvest yields.

Of these, Kiichiro Anjiki, who has been a rice farmer in the Kakugawa area of Tozawa Village for nearly 70 years, continues to be unable to secure the water needed for his approximately 30 ares of rice fields.

Usually, water is drawn from the river near the rice fields and supplied to the surrounding paddies, but because the river’s water level has dropped significantly, water hasn’t been supplied for about two weeks.

For this reason, they are using a pump to draw up water themselves, but it seems that they are not able to secure a sufficient amount.

The soil in the rice fields has dried and cracked, and some rice plants are withering from the roots, among other damages. There are concerns that rice plants suffering from water shortages may not develop their ears properly, which could lead to a decrease in rice yields.

Mr. Anjiki said, Ive been farming for many years, but this is the first time I havent been able to secure water like this.

If things stay like this, our harvest will decrease and life will get harder.

I hope it rains soon so that the rice plants will be saved, he said.