Supporting the First Step Toward Solving Agricultural Issues! Toyohashi City Expands Subsidized Agritech Products to 12

New knowledge and technology are needed to solve agricultural issues such as the aging of farmers. Toyohashi City, blessed with a warm climate and rich nature, is one of Japan's leading agricultural regions. However, it also faces many challenges, including the aging of farmers, a lack of successors, and high-temperature damage. To solve these issues, it is necessary to actively incorporate new knowledge and technologies, such as smart agriculture and agritech. What is 'TOYOHASHI AGRI MEETUP'? In fiscal year 2022, Toyohashi City launched the 'TOYOHASHI AGRI MEETUP' under the theme 'Creating the Future of Agriculture.' This project aims to match local agricultural stakeholders with promising agricultural startups from across the country, fostering the development of new products and services that solve agricultural issues using Toyohashi City as a demonstration field. This project emphasizes not only demonstration development but also the actual introduction and use of developed products and services in real agricultural settings. Agritech Contest with a Total Prize of 10 Million Yen! Toyohashi City is holding the 'Agritech Contest' to solicit ideas for solving agricultural issues from agricultural startups nationwide. The contest has been held four times. Winners in the general category receive a total prize of 10 million yen and can collaborate with motivated farmers to conduct demonstration experiments for developing new products and services. What is the 'Toyohashi City Agritech Introduction Support Subsidy'? In fiscal year 2025, Toyohashi City established the 'Toyohashi City Agritech Introduction Support Subsidy' to support part of the introduction costs for products and services proposed by finalists of the aforementioned 'Agritech Contest' (11 farmers utilized the subsidy in fiscal year 2025). This system supports the first step in introducing agritech products to agricultural fields. Eligible Applicants: Toyohashi Agri Meetup Partner Farmers. Please check the Toyohashi City website for details. Eligible Expenses: Costs for introducing products listed in the 'Toyohashi City Agritech Introduction Support Subsidy Product Catalog' (products proposed by those who passed the final screening of the Agritech Contest within the past three fiscal years). Subsidy Rate: Up to 1/2 (amounts less than 1,000 yen are rounded down). Maximum Subsidy Amount: Machinery purchase, facility improvement, system introduction: 500,000 yen; Material purchase: 200,000 yen; Usage fees, rental fees, service fees: 200,000 yen. Application Deadline: March 31, 2027. Expansion of Options with 7 New Products With the addition of 7 new products and services to the product catalog, the total number of subsidized products has increased to 12, broadening the options for solving agricultural issues. Toyohashi City will continue to provide support so that farmers can introduce products that suit their specific challenges and connect to the future of agriculture. The application deadline is March 31, 2027. Please apply after making the introduction yourself. (Toyohashi City HP) https://www.city.toyohashi.lg.jp/62482.htm List of Eligible Products for the 'Toyohashi City Agritech Introduction Support Subsidy' Recruiting 'Partner Farmers' to Actively Participate in Toyohashi Agri Meetup! ◼ What is the 'Partner Farmer Registration System'? Toyohashi City is currently actively recruiting partner farmers! This system aims to develop the management of partner farmers by registering those who actively participate in the Toyohashi Agri Meetup, promoting the sharing of knowledge and know-how among participants, matching for problem-solving, and facilitating collaborative demonstration experiments. Please apply via the Toyohashi City website (https://www.city.toyohashi.lg.jp/62547.htm) or the link below. (Toyohashi City HP) https://www.city.toyohashi.lg.jp/62547.htm ◼ Explanatory Event for Eligible Products in July An event to exhibit and explain products eligible for the Agritech Introduction Support Subsidy is scheduled for July. Details such as the schedule and content will be announced on the Toyohashi City website once finalized.