[Shiga Prefecture] A new Omi rice variety that debuted in 2023. Production volume has increased approximately four times this year. The new Omi rice variety “Kiramizuki” will be available at mass retailers in Shiga Prefecture and the Keihanshin area from November 2nd. Sales start at the co-op Shiga prefecture Press release: October 29, 2024 A new Omi rice variety that debuted in 2023. Production volume has increased approximately four times this year. New Omi rice variety “Kiramizuki” will be sold at mass retailers and co-ops in Shiga Prefecture and the Keihanshin area from November 2nd. In Shiga Prefecture, sales of the new Omi rice variety “Kiramizuki” will start from November 2, 2024 (Reiwa 6). “Kiramizuki” is a new variety bred at the Prefectural Agricultural Technology Promotion Center. It is characterized by its large size, firm texture, and refreshing, refreshing sweetness, and the more you chew, the more the sweetness spreads. The rice is grown using an “environmentally conscious cultivation” method that uses as little pesticides and chemical fertilizers as possible, and it attracted attention because it was the first rice in the country to meet such strict cultivation standards in the prefecture. This year, the second year since its debut, the number of producers will increase from 74 in 2025 to 272 in 2026, and the production volume is expected to quadruple. We are putting effort into
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URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/144887/12/144887-12-9c5ad0ab5d2adc371fd046fd859d0e9f-1772×972.png In 2023, the first year of sales, the cultivation area was 55 ha, the number of producers was 74, and the production amount was
approximately 200 tons, and most of the sales were limited to Shiga Prefecture. On the other hand, this year, the cultivation area is 192 ha, the number of producers is 272, and the production is expected to be 800 to 1000 tons, which is a significant increase in both production volume and number of producers. Characteristics of “Kiramizuki” deliciousness “Kiramizuki” is characterized by its large grains, firm texture, and refreshing, refreshing sweetness, and the sweetness spreads the more you chew. Because the grains are large, they go well with rice bowls, as well as with a wide variety of dishes such as Western food and meat dishes. It has also been highly evaluated in taste tests, with values equal to or higher than Koshihikari.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/144887/12/144887-12-84505838a87851b4b6bcbdc393eca0ce-631×568.jpg “Environmentally conscious agriculture” that coexists with nature and considers people and the environment Home to one of the world’s most ancient lakes, Lake Biwa, and blessed with many rivers and mountains, Shiga Prefecture has been promoting agriculture that coexists with nature, which has been passed down for over 1,000 years. In order to protect Lake Biwa and its surrounding environment, Shiga Prefecture is promoting “environmentally conscious agriculture” that is friendly to people and the environment, avoiding the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers as much as possible. Shiga Prefecture leads the nation in terms of the percentage of area devoted to environmentally friendly agriculture.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/144887/12/144887-12-4789b8d54a8d59f0e60be3a3e9490602-1438×878.png “Omi Organic Rice Study Group” established to realize stable trade of organic rice There are two ways to produce “Kiramizuki”: cultivation that does not use chemical fertilizers, insecticides or fungicides, and organic cultivation. In the future, by promoting the expansion of production of “Kiramizuki”, we will encourage more producers to engage in organic cultivation and aim to raise the level of organic rice production from Shiga Prefecture. On the other hand, although there is a demand for organic rice, the production volume is small and most of the rice is sold by individual producers, making stable transactions in large quantities an issue. Against this background, this year the Omi Organic Rice Study Group was established, a group of producers who cooperate with each other in everything from production to sales of organic Kiramizuki. By working together with producers to handle everything from production to sales, we will realize stable trade in organic rice. “Fish Cradle Paddy Project” is one of the “Lake Biwa System” registered as a World Agricultural Heritage Site Shiga Prefecture, which promotes agriculture that coexists with nature, is also focusing on the “Fish Cradle Paddy Rice” initiative. “Fish Cradle Paddy Rice” refers to rice with reduced pesticides and chemical fertilizers that is grown in paddy fields in an environment suitable for the fish that migrate upstream from Lake Biwa to the rice fields to spawn and raise their young. This “Fish Cradle Paddy Project” is one of the initiatives of the “Lake Biwa System,” which is registered as a World Agricultural Heritage Site, and is attracting worldwide attention. Kiramizuki is also cultivated in some parts of the Fish Cradle Rice Fields. A video introducing the project by Marcy-san, a YouTuber who collects organisms based in Lake Biwa, is also available. Please take a look. URL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inBX0FxacZM Sponsored by Takanori Nishikawa! “Kiramizuki” PR booth will be exhibited at “SHIGA KOMECON 2024”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/144887/12/144887-12-7f1c735fd28959cf933b28cd91b3b799-784×1009.png “SHIGA KOMECON 2024,” an experiential rice-themed event hosted by singer Takanori Nishikawa, who serves as Shiga Hometown Tourism Ambassador, will be held on November 2nd (Saturday) and November 3rd (Sunday). At this event, we will also hold a raffle where those who follow Kiramizuki SNS (Instagram, X) can win cube rice or packaged rice from Kiramizuki. ・Name SHIGA KOMECON 2024 ・Date: Saturday, November 2, 2020, Sunday, November 3, 2020 ・Venue: Minami Hikone Heiwado Headquarters (HATOC parking lot)
