86.5% Value Hands-on Plant Growing Experience in the AI Era; 93.2% Want Children to Have That Experience [OAT Agrio Survey]

OAT Agrio Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Takashi Oka; hereinafter 'OAT Agrio'), a manufacturer and seller of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, conducted an in-house internet survey regarding childhood cultivation experiences. Valid responses: 1,544 people; Survey period: May 21 to May 31, 2026. The survey results showed that 86.5% of respondents answered that 'the experience of actually growing and observing plants is important, even in the AI era.' Furthermore, 93.2% of respondents answered that they 'want to let children have the experience of growing plants.' On the other hand, 75.7% of people, looking back on their own childhood, felt they 'wished they had interacted more with plants,' indicating a high interest in plant-growing experiences and a perceived lack of such opportunities during childhood. Survey Summary - 86.5% of respondents said 'the experience of actually growing and observing plants is important, even in the AI era.' - 93.2% of respondents said they 'want to let children have the experience of growing plants.' - 75.7% of people, looking back on their own childhood, felt they 'wished they had interacted more with plants.' - 34.3% of respondents said that the impact of their cultivation experience was that they 'developed observation and noticing skills.' Survey Overview Survey Name: Questionnaire on Childhood Cultivation Experiences Survey Method: Internet survey (in-house survey) Survey Period: May 21, 2026 - May 31, 2026 Valid Responses: 1,544 people ■ 90.6% Have Experience Growing Plants in Childhood, Yet 75.7% 'Wanted More Experience' In this survey, 90.6% of respondents answered that they had some experience with plant cultivation during their childhood. The breakdown was 22.1% who 'actively grew plants' and 68.5% who 'only grew them at school, etc.,' indicating that many people had experience interacting with plants through school education. On the other hand, 75.7% of people felt that they 'wished they had had more experience growing plants during childhood.' With 27.5% 'strongly agreeing' and 48.2% 'agreeing,' a sense of lack of opportunity for experience is evident. ■ Experiences of 'Having Questions' While Growing Plants Cultivates Noticing Skills Regarding the experience of having questions like 'I wonder why' while growing plants, 14.8% answered 'often,' and 43.4% answered 'occasionally,' meaning 58.2% of those with experience had some kind of question. In free-text responses, many 'noticing' experiences through observation were shared, such as 'It was mysterious that morning glories opened in the early morning and closed in the evening' (male in his 60s) and 'Even though I watered at the same time, each plant grew differently' (female in her 30s). Furthermore, regarding the impact of childhood cultivation experiences on the present (multiple answers allowed), 'Increased interest in nature and the environment' was the most common at 39.4%, followed by 'Developed observation and noticing skills' at 34.3%, and 'Deepened interest in food and agriculture' at 34.0%. This shows that cultivation experiences are not just about growing plants but serve as a gateway to a wide range of learning. ■ Even in the AI Era, 86.5% Say 'Experience of Actually Growing and Observing is Important' Even in the modern age where answers can be found instantly with generative AI and search tools, 86.5% of respondents answered that 'the experience of actually growing and observing plants is important' (42.9% 'think it is very important,' 43.6% 'think it is important'). Among people currently growing plants, the percentage who answered 'important' was 93.4%, showing that personal experience is directly linked to recognizing its importance. On the other hand, even among those not currently growing plants, 69.2% answered that it is important, indicating that the value of the experience of growing and observing plants is widely recognized regardless of personal experience. Free-text responses included many voices describing insights gained precisely from real-life experience, such as 'The natural colors were so much more vivid than in textbooks; it felt like the world had expanded greatly' (female in her 20s) and 'I still remember the joy when the first flower bloomed after observing its growth while watering it every day' (male in his 40s). Importance of Cultivation Experience in the AI Era: Approximately 90% of People in Their 20s to 40s Say It's 'Important' Looking at it by age group, the percentage of people who think 'the experience of actually growing and observing plants' is important in the AI era was 89.7% for those in their 20s, 88.4% for those in their 30s, and 88.7% for those in their 40s, reaching approximately 90% for the 20-40 age group, which includes parents. Furthermore, 79.6% of those in their 50s and 85.1% of those aged 60 and over also answered that it is important, indicating that the value of the experience of growing plants is supported across a wide range of ages, not just among younger people or parents. ■ 93.2% 'Want to Let Children Experience Growing Plants,' Rising to 99.4% Among Active Experiencers The percentage of people who answered 'I want to let children have the experience of growing plants' reached 93.2% (38.9% 'definitely want to let them / already doing so,' 54.3% 'would like to let them if there is an opportunity'). Notably, among those who actively grew plants during their own childhood, this figure was 99.4%, clearly showing that personal experience strongly influences the desire to pass it on to the next generation. Additionally, 58.2% of people had experience of having questions like 'I wonder why' while growing plants, suggesting that plant experiences provide opportunities for noticing small daily changes and thinking for oneself. OAT Agrio is hosting the 'OAT Agrio Free Research Contest 2026' this summer as an opportunity to turn these insights and questions into summer vacation independent research projects. 'OAT Agrio Free Research Contest 2026' Plants Cultivate the Future. OAT Agrio Free Research Contest 2026 The simple 'why?' that arises from being around plants becomes the starting point for independent research. That 'why?' is precisely the beginning of research. Submissions can include observation records, reports on growing plants, experimental results, and considerations on why plants didn't grow well, as long as they relate to plants. Even small discoveries are excellent research that starts from a child's own 'why?'. Name: OAT Agrio Free Research Contest 2026 Target: This contest is primarily intended for children's independent research, but anyone interested in plants can apply. Application Period: June 10, 2026 - September 10, 2026 Submission Content: Independent research on plants, observation records, experiments, reports on growing plants, etc. Selection Method: A judging committee will conduct a strict and fair review, and winners will be contacted in late September. The winners will be announced on the Agrio Cultivation Media in early October. Grand Prize: 30,000 yen cash, 1 winner Excellence Award: 10,000 yen cash, 3 winners Encouragement Award: 5,000 yen Amazon Gift Card, 10 winners Honorable Mention: 1,000 yen Amazon Gift Card, 30 winners Participation Prize: 2,000 yen Agrio Shop coupon for all applicants *The 2,000 yen coupon can be used for purchases of 5,100 yen (tax included) or more (free shipping) at the Agrio Shop. (Limited to one use per person.) Familiar 'Why?' Becomes Independent Research. Examples of Past Works In past free research contests, studies born from questions about familiar plants have been submitted. For example, in 'I tried growing okra to see how big the fruit gets,' without harvesting,