Located in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Izumi Agriculture Cooperative operates a highly efficient farming business with a small but capable team. With four board members and one operator managing more than 100 hectares of rice, wheat, and soybean fields, while also producing open-field vegetables, the cooperative continuously explores practical technologies that can improve productivity and reduce labor requirements.
To improve field operations, the cooperative introduced the FJD Auto Steering System, with two systems currently in use. In spring 2026, they further expanded their smart farming setup by adding the FJD AL02 3D Land Leveling System. When asked what convinced him to adopt an auto-steer system, Mr. Kimura, one of the cooperative's board members, gave an unexpected answer. It wasn't for straighter seeding.
"We wanted to dig drainage ditches before seeding. That was the biggest reason."
Field Drainage Accuracy Sets the Foundation for Better Farming
Before seeding wheat, Izumi Agriculture Cooperative creates surface drainage channels using an axle plow to improve water management. These drainage ditches must be accurately positioned and constructed in straight lines. Poor drainage can lead to waterlogging, negatively affecting crop growth and field performance. Previously, the process depended heavily on manual measurement:
- Measuring intervals with tape measures
- Marking positions with spray paint
- Guiding tractor operations manually
The workflow required multiple people: one person measuring, one guiding, and one operating the tractor. However, manual marking could not always guarantee perfect accuracy and required significant time and labor.
By introducing auto steering, the cooperative was able to replace this manual process with GPS-based guidance. With accurate guidance lines created before seeding, operators can complete drainage work efficiently using larger tractors without damaging newly planted crops later.
A 10 cm Difference Can Affect Soybean Cultivation
The benefits of accurate guidance extend beyond drainage operations. During soybean cultivation, Izumi Agriculture Cooperative uses a five-row cultivator for inter-row cultivation and weed management. In this process, precise seeding alignment is essential. Even a small deviation can affect later operations.
If rows are not positioned accurately, cultivator tines may contact soybean plants and cause crop damage. With more consistent guidance, subsequent cultivation becomes smoother and more reliable. The cooperative has also been gradually combining mechanical cultivation with herbicide applications to improve weed management efficiency and reduce chemical dependence.
Practical Value Comes Before Technology
Although Mr. Kimura follows developments in new farming technology, his evaluation criteria remain practical. For him, the most important factor is whether technology delivers real value in daily farming operations.
"At the end of the day, it's all about cost performance."
The value of automation lies not only in improving accuracy but also in reducing labor pressure and allowing farmers to focus on higher-value tasks. As smart farming technologies continue to develop, Mr. Kimura believes solutions such as automatic section control and variable-rate application could further improve efficiency by reducing unnecessary overlap and optimizing input usage.
Looking Toward Smarter Application Management
Beyond auto steering, Izumi Agriculture Cooperative is also interested in future spraying technologies, including spot spraying.
Currently, many crop protection operations apply treatments across the entire field. However, targeted spraying based on actual pest or disease conditions could potentially reduce chemical usage and improve sustainability.
Accurate operation records would also provide additional value. For example, recording application locations, timing, and treatment details could help improve communication between neighboring farms and support better agricultural management decisions.
Technology Built Together with Farmers
For Mr. Kimura, the future of smart farming depends not only on advanced technology but also on whether solutions are developed around real field requirements. Rather than creating products only from a technical perspective, he believes manufacturers should continue listening to farmers and incorporating feedback from actual working environments.
From auto steering and variable-rate application to future spraying solutions, the most valuable technologies are those that solve practical challenges in the field.
Conclusion
The experience of Izumi Agriculture Cooperative demonstrates how precision agriculture technology can create value beyond traditional guidance applications. By replacing manual measurement methods with GPS-based guidance, FJD Auto Steering helps improve drainage accuracy, support consistent cultivation, and reduce operational workload across large-scale farming operations.
As agriculture continues moving toward smarter and more efficient workflows, solutions developed around real farmer needs will play an increasingly important role in building sustainable farming systems. Explore how FJD precision agriculture solutions can help improve field accuracy, reduce operational challenges, and support more efficient farming practices.
