Kanematsu
Kanematsu signs a collaboration agreement with Green Carbon Co., Ltd., aiming to suppress the generation of “paddy methane” and spread the use of environmentally friendly rice to help solve global warming. ……
Kanematsu Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Kanematsu”) and Green Carbon Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Green Carbon”) aim to create carbon credits by reducing methane in rice fields and to improve the environment cultivated using this method, targeting the Japanese and Vietnamese markets. We have concluded a partnership agreement to jointly promote the sale of carefully selected rice.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/92359/67/resize/d92359-67-887784b9db5f35f57c55-0.jpg&s3=92359-67-6fb31046c58edc88926da85233938a77-1920×1280.jpg] ■ Background
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, methane gas, a type of greenhouse gas, is generated in rice fields during the process of decomposing organic matter in the soil due to the influence of “methane-producing bacteria,” which accounts for approximately 40% of Japan’s total methane gas emissions. It is said that it occupies . This reduction of “paddy methane” is one of the “initiatives to achieve zero emissions and sustainable development in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector” in the “Green Food Strategy System” proposed by the Japanese government. An effective way to reduce this is to extend the period of mid-drying (a normal process in rice cultivation in which water is drained from the rice field and the soil is dried).By extending the period by 7 days compared to the conventional method, it is possible to reduce the amount of methane gas generated. It is estimated that this can be reduced by
approximately 30%. In March 2023, the J-Credit System Management Committee approved “extending the mid-drying period through wet rice cultivation” as an effective methodology. As a result, businesses such as Green Carbon are collaborating with farmers to reduce “paddy methane” and create “J-credits” (*1) for the reduction effect. (*1) A system in which the government certifies CO2 emission reductions through initiatives such as the introduction of
energy-saving equipment and forest management as “credits.”
■ Green Carbon initiatives
Green Carbon’s vision is to “save the earth with the power of life,” and we are developing a business that provides comprehensive support for the creation, registration, and sales of carbon credits. As part of this effort, we are promoting a system called the “Rice
Consortium,” which collectively carries out a series of procedures necessary for applying for “J-Credit,” such as registration and performance measurement, all the way to agency sales, on behalf of applicants. . This consortium has the largest track record in Japan, and as of May 10, 2024, rice field farmers with a total area of over 15,000 hectares and over 300 companies/agricultural corporations are participating. Furthermore, we plan to generate 50,000 ha
(approximately 200,000 t-CO2e) of “J-credits” nationwide by extending the mid-drying period for rice cultivation in 2024, and tens of thousands of tons overseas this fiscal year.
■ About cooperation agreement
Kanematsu leverages the wide connections it has cultivated over many years in the rice business and its knowledge of the domestic and foreign rice markets to promote sales of environmentally friendly rice, as well as procure environmentally friendly rice and “credits” as a set. We will add rice sales that contribute to Scope 3 reduction to our lineup. By working together, both companies will build a supply chain that will distribute the rice produced through this initiative as environmentally friendly rice. Ultimately, we aim to encourage the spread of environmentally friendly rice in the Japanese and Vietnamese rice industries, leading to decarbonization and improved
sustainability in the agricultural and food supply chains.
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Kanematsu has identified “agriculture and food GX” as one of the GX focus areas in the main measures of the three-year medium-term management plan “integration 1.0” that started in April 2024. In the food supply chain that Kanematsu is deeply involved in, we aim to contribute to decarbonization and resource circulation (circular economy) by creating and supplying food with low environmental impact, and building a sustainable supply chain.
【company overview】
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