Gurunavi Applies Biochar at a Gifu Agricultural Corporation, Advancing CO2 Reduction and 'Mirai no Tsuchi Sodachi' Produce Trials

Gurunavi, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Akio Sugihara; hereinafter referred to as Gurunavi) has been participating in the Green Innovation Fund Project (Development of CO2 Reduction and Absorption Technologies for the Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Industries) by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) since FY2022.

Recently, the company applied biochar to the soil at the agricultural fields of B-Bridge, Inc. (Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture), a participating agricultural corporation in this demonstration project.

As the government declares a "2050 Carbon Neutrality" goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 and tackles global warming, Gurunavi is taking the lead in a farmland carbon sequestration project using biochar within the food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector of the fund project.

In this project, "biochar," which is made by carbonizing rice husks, is spread and mixed into the soil of agricultural fields, contributing to the reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere—a primary cause of global warming. Furthermore, the company is conducting research on "high-function biochar," which mixes biochar with microbial materials, aiming to realize environmentally friendly agriculture with a low environmental impact.

[Overview of Recent Implementation]
The recent application of biochar was conducted at B-Bridge, Inc., an agricultural corporation in Gifu with a tradition spanning over 130 years since 1892, possessing approximately 400,000 square meters of farmland in Gifu City.
Blessed with clear weather, the application was carried out smoothly over about 4 hours. The biochar was spread over the field and carefully mixed into the soil.
Edamame (young soybeans) are scheduled to be harvested in July of this year from the field where the biochar was applied.

[Comment from Hideya Takahashi, Director of B-Bridge, Inc.]
"I studied smart agriculture, sales strategies, and agricultural management for three years at an agricultural corporation in Nagano. After returning to Gifu, I established a corporation as the 5th generation of a farming family with a history of over 130 years. Facing climate change such as recent severe heatwaves, we participated in the GI Fund project last year and introduced 'biochar' to contribute to environmental consideration and decarbonization. When we actually applied it to our edamame fields last year, we realized definitive growth effects, such as improved root development and an increase in the number of highly appreciated edamame pods containing three beans. We will continue to take on the challenge of environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture in order to deliver delicious vegetables to future children and local customers."

[Comment from Gurunavi Representative]
"Through this project, Gurunavi plans to actively promote the application of high-function biochar in farmlands across the country. Furthermore, we are preparing for sales trials of environmentally friendly agricultural products grown using biochar under the name 'Mirai no Tsuchi Sodachi®', striving to create a new food cycle that connects producers and consumers."

[About 'Mirai no Tsuchi Sodachi®']
The "Mirai no Tsuchi Sodachi®" (Soil Nurturing for the Future) mark can be affixed as a compliance label to produce that has contributed to a 10% or greater reduction in greenhouse gas (CO2 equivalent) emissions compared to standard cultivation (*2), calculated using the "Environmental Value Assessment System" (*1).
By attaching the "Mirai no Tsuchi Sodachi®" label, the company aims to clearly convey the value of environmentally friendly agricultural products to consumers and enhance their market value. The company plans to conduct sales trials featuring this mark in the future.

(*1) What is the "Environmental Value Assessment System"?
A system jointly developed by Gurunavi and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) that allows for the comprehensive and objective assessment of the environmental value of agricultural products by inputting cultivation information such as pesticide, fertilizer, and biochar usage.

(*2) What is "Standard Cultivation"?
Calculated based on standard cultivation management practices adopted on the soil CO2 absorption "visualization" site of NARO, which differs from conventional cultivation standards specific to each region.

[About B-Bridge, Inc.]
Based in Gifu, the company has sincerely engaged with agricultural products for over 130 years, receiving the blessings of nature such as the pure water flowing from the Nagara River, a warm climate, and fertile land. During cultivation, they minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to grow delicious produce. Aiming to reduce discarded vegetables, they continue to produce safe, secure, and healthy vegetables.

[Overview of the Green Innovation Fund Project Participated in by Gurunavi]
■ Project Name: Establishment of a Manufacturing and Application System for High-Function Biochar Utilizing Agricultural By-products
■ Overview: Biochar, obtained by carbonizing agricultural by-products such as rice husks, can store carbon in a relatively stable form in the soil. Therefore, it is expected to contribute to CO2 removal and carbon sequestration in farmlands and is attracting attention as an effective method for decarbonization.
To promote its widespread use, this project conducts technological development and elucidates the functions of beneficial microorganisms that contribute to promoting nutrient cycling in the soil and improving crop growth.