Yamada Bee Farm Launches Agrivoltaics in Lotus-Blooming Rice Paddies, Achieves 100% Renewable Energy at Headquarters

Yamada Bee Farm Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kagamino-cho, Tomata-gun, Okayama Prefecture, Representative: Hideki Yamada) began an "agrivoltaics" project on February 16, 2026, in farmland adjacent to its headquarters, combining beekeeping, organic farming, and renewable energy generation.

This farmland is a rice paddy where lotus flowers bloom profusely in spring. Honeybees collect honey from the lotus flowers, and after the flowers wither, the lotus plants are plowed directly into the paddy field to be used as organic fertilizer. Furthermore, the amount of pesticides used is significantly reduced, and "Renge Rice" is cultivated with reduced pesticides and no chemical fertilizers.

In this way, by newly combining solar power generation with rice paddies that practice sustainable agriculture leveraging beekeeping and natural cycles, we have realized a sustainable circular model where agriculture and renewable energy coexist.

Furthermore, from April 1st (Wednesday), by switching the electricity purchased from power companies to renewable energy, we have achieved 100% renewable energy use at our headquarters in Okayama Prefecture (including factories and related facilities).

Circular Agriculture Starting with Lotus Flowers

In the rice paddies adjacent to our headquarters, lotus flowers bloom across the entire field in spring, and honeybees collect nectar from these lotus flowers. After the lotus flowers wither, the lotus plants are plowed into the paddy fields, enriching the soil as organic fertilizer. This method significantly reduces the amount of chemical fertilizers and the number of pesticide components, leading to environmentally friendly rice cultivation.

The rice cultivated in this manner is sold as "Renge Rice."

By installing agrivoltaics in these lotus-blooming rice paddies, we have further developed a sustainable agricultural model that utilizes natural cycles, encompassing: - Honey collection by honeybees - Organic fertilizer utilization from lotus - Rice cultivation with reduced pesticides - Renewable energy generation

About Agrivoltaics

In Japan, methods of power generation using renewable energy are attracting attention due to the low energy self-sufficiency rate and the perspective of reducing the burden on the natural environment. On the other hand, many mega solar power plants have been installed by clearing natural forests, which has led to social problems such as environmental destruction. Agrivoltaics is an initiative where solar panels are installed in the upper space of farmland by erecting pillars, while crops are cultivated below.

### Yamada Bee Farm Agrivoltaics Overview - Location: Kagamino-cho, Tomata-gun, Okayama Prefecture - Installation Area: Approximately 6,000㎡ - Estimated Annual Power Generation: Approximately 420,000 kWh

Achieving 100% Renewable Energy

Our company has been promoting the use of electricity derived from renewable energy. In 2025, 94% of the electricity used at our headquarters was generated from renewable energy. Additionally, from February 16, 2026, we started new agrivoltaics on our own farmland, and from April 1st, by procuring all electricity used at our headquarters through our own solar power generation and the purchase of electricity with non-fossil certificates*, we achieved 100% renewable energy. *Non-fossil certificates represent the environmental value of electricity generated from non-fossil power sources such as renewable energy. By purchasing these certificates, it is deemed that electricity from non-fossil power sources has been purchased.

Yamada Bee Farm's Initiatives for Natural Environment Conservation

Yamada Bee Farm upholds "Coexistence with Nature" as the cornerstone of its corporate philosophy and has aimed to realize a sustainable society together with honeybees since its founding. To date, we have continuously implemented activities to protect the natural environment, including tree-planting activities for the conservation and regeneration of the natural environment, biodiversity conservation efforts through environmental education, and promotion of renewable energy utilization.

The agrivoltaics project launched this time further develops these environmental protection initiatives. By combining agriculture and renewable energy, we aim to simultaneously promote the circulation of regional resources and decarbonization, and build a sustainable model that passes on a rich natural environment to the next generation.

Yamada Bee Farm will continue to promote circular agriculture and energy use that leverages the blessings of nature together with honeybees, contributing to the realization of a sustainable society that coexists with the natural environment.