In recent years, consumers have become more aware of food safety and quality, and of environmental preservation.

Akita Prefecture is working hard to establish production and distribution systems to supply consumers with safe products. In Akita today, we promote the use of organic composts and are reducing the amount of manure and agricultural chemicals used in our farming practices. We are also developing a comprehensive sales strategy to produce and distribute our delicious Akita rice, and we are establishing production centers for vegetables, flowering plants and livestock, to better represent our prefecture. Local distribution of products through direct sales by Akita's farmers is also on the increase.

To support these activities we have established a number of research institutions, including the new agricultural experimental station that opened in April 2000. These institutions are developing new varieties of paddy rice, vegetables, flowering plants and fruit trees that will be suited to the local weather and geographic location of Akita. They are also developing low cost, high quality, and stable production technologies that are friendly to the environment.

Furthermore, the Reserch Institute of Food & Brewing and other institutions are developing new products using Akita's existing products and livestock, as well as new processing technology such as brewing. Through such activities, we are promoting the development of Akita's food and agriculture industries by uniting production, processing, distribution, and sales.