Only 3 Farmers Selected: Era of Farmers Using AI to Solve On-Site Challenges Begins. Farming AI Times Opens Applications for Second Cohort of Media Ambassadors

Metagri Research Institute, a farmer-support community promoting agriculture and new technologies (operated by Noujoujin Co., Ltd., headquarters: Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture; CEO: Yuichiro Kai), has launched recruitment for the second cohort of its 'Media Ambassadors' program, which cultivates practical AI knowledge from farmers' experiences and voices, and shares the journey publicly.

Through a 90-day mentorship with the first cohort of ambassadors, a new model of 'on-site AI adoption' emerged—farmers directly engaging with AI to tackle real challenges. Examples include financial data analysis for agricultural corporations and automated temperature/humidity logging with accumulated heat visualization for tomato farmers. In the second phase, this practical knowledge will be expanded to farmers nationwide.

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Background: Challenges in Agriculture and the Potential of Generative AI

In farming operations, challenges such as labor shortages, knowledge transfer, climate change, and rising material costs have made it increasingly difficult to rely solely on experience and intuition for decision-making.

Meanwhile, advances in generative AI now allow farmers to support their management, cultivation, and sales decisions using low-cost tools—free online platforms, off-the-shelf sensors, and generative AI—without needing expensive dedicated systems. These tools can leverage daily records and on-site insights to assist farmers.

However, barriers remain: farmers often don't know where to start, and lack support when they encounter obstacles.

To overcome this, the farmer-focused AI media 'Farming AI Times' has combined media outreach with hands-on mentorship, openly sharing not only successes but also trials, errors, and setbacks.

Insights from the First Ambassador Program

From March 2026 over three months, Metagri partnered with farmers of different crops and AI experience levels, resulting in the following practical AI applications:

AI as the Farmer's Advisor: An agricultural corporation used its existing management dashboard to conduct variety-specific cost analysis based on accounting data and work logs. They also enhanced strategic decision-making through iterative dialogues with AI, documenting the process in a serialized article series.

AI + IoT for Cultivation Data Visibility: A tomato farmer combined commercial temperature/humidity sensors with Google Sheets to automate regular data collection and visualize accumulated growing degree days.

A key insight emerged: AI is not meant to replace farmers by providing answers, but to act as a companion that helps farmers reflect on their practices and plan their next steps. Moreover, each farmer’s unique experiences and words serve as the best guide for others about to begin their AI journey.

Representative Case: Hiroshima Farm (Usa City, Oita Prefecture)

Hiroshima Farm won the gold prize in the Medium category at the 3rd National Tomato Championship in 2024 and a bronze prize at the 5th championship in 2026. Despite these achievements, the couple previously relied on a three-year diary for cultivation records and operated their business on a 'rough estimate' basis—entirely disconnected from digital tools. In just 90 days, they underwent a significant transformation.

Farming AI Times: Special Feature on Hiroshima Farm

Hiroshima Farm Special Feature

Area

Before

After

Cultivation

Relied on intuition and experience.
Temperature and humidity management was reactive.

Commercial sensors automatically record temperature and humidity every 15 minutes.
Accumulated temperature is checked daily via data.

Sales

Repeatedly used the same POP displays for years.

Created and displayed POPs using AI.
Achieved higher sales volume than the previous year, even after price adjustments.

Administration

Outsourced tax filing to an accountant; rarely applied for subsidies.

Began exploring AI applications for accounting and grant applications.

Organization

All work instructions were verbal.

Used AI to create work manuals, promoting the verbalization of experience and procedures.

Hiroshima Farm

Hiroshima Farm's Comment

'The biggest change was shifting toward data-driven decision-making. Our cultivation insights, previously only in our minds, were visualized as 'temperature and humidity data every 15 minutes' thanks to the mentorship. Checking data daily became a major turning point.

I strongly want to tell others: 'Just try using AI once.'

Every day, I feel we are entering a transformative era—like switching from kimono to Western clothing in the Meiji era. Even ultra-analog farms like ours can gradually learn by following guides, and we feel our work in cultivation, management, and sales is improving.'

Call for Applications: Second Cohort of Media Ambassadors

This program centers on farmers who feel challenges in applying AI on-site.

Program Name

'Farming AI Times' Second Cohort Media Ambassadors

Eligibility

Farmers and agricultural professionals enthusiastic about AI adoption.
No prior AI experience required.

Individuals or organizations, any scale.

Application Period

Until June 30, 2026 (Tuesday), 23:59

Ambassador Benefits

- Monthly online consultation (60 minutes): Individual mentorship tailored to each farm’s challenges
- Ongoing online support: Daily questions and obstacles can be consulted anytime via a dedicated online tool
- Delivery of a custom AI operation manual: A 'Farm-Specific AI Guidebook' containing prompt templates and practical materials customized to your farm
- Feature article publication in 'Farming AI Times': Your farm’s philosophy, unique practices, and purchase pathways, along with the full trial-and-error process, will be serialized and archived as searchable, long-lasting content
- Publicity support via official SNS: Your farm’s initiatives will be continuously promoted through the official social media accounts of Farming AI Times

Cost

Free
Note: Costs for sensors or paid tools may apply depending on your project. These will be discussed in advance, and participants will make the final decision.

Number of Recruits

3 farmers (selection-based)

Selection Criteria

Enthusiasm for AI adoption, presence of specific on-site challenges, and willingness to cooperate in content sharing will be comprehensively evaluated.

Application Method

Applications accepted via the form below. Based on submissions, initial screening will be conducted. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview, and ambassadors will be selected after the interview.

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About 'Farming AI Times'—AI Media for Farmers

Farming AI Times operates on the concept of 'cultivating the future of AI adoption from farmers’ experiences and words.' It provides practical AI usage guides and real-world case studies in a 'ready-to-use today' format. Insights gained from ambassadors and other farmers’ practices are integrated into media content, creating a cycle that supports farmers nationwide who are about to begin their AI journey.