Yamada Bee Farm Launches Agri-Solar Power Generation in Astragalus-filled Rice Paddies
Yamada Bee Farm has launched "Agri-Solar Power Generation" in rice paddies adjacent to its head office, combining beekeeping, organic farming, and renewable energy generation. The system started operation on February 16, 2026, and from April 1, 100% of the head office's electricity will be powered by renewable energy, promoting reduced environmental impact and a sustainable agricultural model.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 23:31 (486h 43m after Collected)
Yamada Bee Farm Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kagamino-cho, Tomata-gun, Okayama Prefecture; Representative: Hideo Yamada) began "agri-solar power generation," which combines beekeeping, organic farming, and renewable energy generation, in agricultural land adjacent to its head office on February 16, 2026.
This agricultural land is a rice paddy where astragalus flowers bloom across the entire surface in spring. Honeybees collect honey from the astragalus flowers, and after the flowers wither, the astragalus plants are plowed directly into the rice paddy to be used as organic fertilizer. Furthermore, the amount of pesticides used is significantly reduced, and "Renge Mai" (astragalus rice) is cultivated with reduced pesticides without using chemical fertilizers.
In this way, by combining beekeeping and sustainable agriculture that utilizes the natural cycle with new solar power generation, a sustainable circular model where agriculture and renewable energy coexist has been realized.
Agri-solar power generation installed next to the head office
Furthermore, from Wednesday, April 1, the electricity purchased from power companies will also be switched to renewable energy, achieving 100% renewable energy use (including factories and related facilities) at the head office in Okayama Prefecture, including solar and wind power generation.
A field of astragalus flowers spreads across the area in spring.
Farming is conducted under the power generation panels.
## Circular Agriculture Starting with Astragalus Flowers
In the rice paddies adjacent to the head office, astragalus flowers bloom across the entire surface in spring, and honeybees collect nectar from these astragalus flowers. Additionally, after the flowers wither, the astragalus plants are plowed into the rice paddies, enriching the soil as organic fertilizer. Through this method, rice cultivation with low environmental impact is carried out, significantly reducing the amount of chemical fertilizers and the number of pesticide components.
The rice grown in this way is sold as "Renge Mai" (astragalus rice).
This agricultural land is a rice paddy where astragalus flowers bloom across the entire surface in spring. Honeybees collect honey from the astragalus flowers, and after the flowers wither, the astragalus plants are plowed directly into the rice paddy to be used as organic fertilizer. Furthermore, the amount of pesticides used is significantly reduced, and "Renge Mai" (astragalus rice) is cultivated with reduced pesticides without using chemical fertilizers.
In this way, by combining beekeeping and sustainable agriculture that utilizes the natural cycle with new solar power generation, a sustainable circular model where agriculture and renewable energy coexist has been realized.
Agri-solar power generation installed next to the head office
Furthermore, from Wednesday, April 1, the electricity purchased from power companies will also be switched to renewable energy, achieving 100% renewable energy use (including factories and related facilities) at the head office in Okayama Prefecture, including solar and wind power generation.
A field of astragalus flowers spreads across the area in spring.
Farming is conducted under the power generation panels.
## Circular Agriculture Starting with Astragalus Flowers
In the rice paddies adjacent to the head office, astragalus flowers bloom across the entire surface in spring, and honeybees collect nectar from these astragalus flowers. Additionally, after the flowers wither, the astragalus plants are plowed into the rice paddies, enriching the soil as organic fertilizer. Through this method, rice cultivation with low environmental impact is carried out, significantly reducing the amount of chemical fertilizers and the number of pesticide components.
The rice grown in this way is sold as "Renge Mai" (astragalus rice).