日本蔬菜事業觀感

Abstract

The observation trip to Japan made in November 1967 was primarily for the study of research, production and marketing of vegetable crops in that country. The advanced research programs conducted by both the Japanese government agricultural stations and the country's private seed companies are manned by competent scientists with adequate, equipment and facilities. The visiting group was highly impressed with the rapid strides made in cultural methods, varietal improvement, handling techniques of grading and packaging as well as the streamlining of marketing channels, which can serve as an example for us. As a result of rapid industrialization in recent years, Japan is actually faced with the problem of labor shortage in the rural areas. Consequently, the following conditions were noticed to have developed in vegetable production in Japan: 1. Increased yield per unit area ass achieved by better cultural and varietal improvements. 2. Vegetable crops of high nutritive and economic value are greatly increased due to consumers' advanced knowledge of the science of food values and the attractive market price 3. Much decreased production of crops requiring excessive and intensive labor, such as deep-rooted crops of radish and edible burdock, was observed, and further reduction in planting acreage and production is expected in the near future. 4. In spite of the great strides made in research and production of vegetable crops, price fluctuations are still unavoidable due to climate and market complexities. 5. Easily obtained equipment, facilities and industrial supplies at low cost as well as well organized marketing channels in Japan are instrumental in bringing about the rapid agricultural development. 6. Any country interested in exporting fresh vegetables into Japan in the not too distant future, such preparatory work as selecting suitable varieties and modernizing grading, packing and shipping facilities must be done right away so as to meet the increasing demand on the Japanese market.