Macnica starts selling NEXTAGE's wasabi cultivation module - Set up a plant factory next to Shin-Yokohama headquarters to promote experiments and co-creation activities using cutting-edge technology 

Macnica announces today the commencement of sales of the 'Wasabi Cultivation Module,' developed by Nextage Corporation, which allows for wasabi cultivation without being restricted by location. The sales will begin on January 5, 2024. Prior to the sales launch, the company has introduced the module at its Shin-Yokohama headquarters for further refinement and initiated its utilization as a venue for AgriTech demonstration experiments.

In addition to traditional cultivation techniques, wasabi is grown only in certain regions, as it requires an environment such as appropriate water temperature and clean water. Furthermore, the recent decline in the number of agricultural workers and climate changes such as heavy rain and sunlight are having a major impact on yields, making stable production difficult.

NEXTAGE's ``Wasabi Cultivation Module'', which Macnica has recently started selling, is a small plant factory exclusively for wasabi that stores the equipment necessary for hydroponic cultivation of wasabi in a 40ft size insulated container and packages it. NEXTAGE will prepare the environment essential for wasabi cultivation, such as insulation and moisture retention, and perform analysis based on information from cameras and sensors installed inside the module, providing remote guidance on accurate cultivation operations. Therefore, it is possible to cultivate wasabi without relying on cultivation knowledge and to reliably harvest it in about half the time of outdoor cultivation.

■Wasabi cultivation module overview
・Size: Equivalent to a 40ft high cube container Number of plants that can be planted/approximately 1,800 plants ^*1
・Production item: Wasabi (Matsuma type)
・Main equipment: Cultivation equipment (including LED lighting) / Air conditioner / Water temperature controller / Carbon dioxide supply management device / Hand washing station
Equipment configuration: By setting up a cultivation room and a control room, it is possible to manage hygiene inside the cultivation room.

The wasabi cultivated in this module is a variety called "Matsuma Wasabi" that is native to Mazuma Village in Wakayama Prefecture. Although it requires a cultivation period of 20 to 24 months compared to many wasabi varieties on the market, it is said to be a rare variety of wasabi with excellent stickiness, flavor, and aroma, and is mainly used in high-end restaurants. I am. As the cultivation environment has been threatened by factors such as climate change and global warming in recent years, it has become increasingly rare, and there is a strong desire within the industry for a stable supply of high-quality Matsuma wasabi.

Macnica is currently working on developing technology for ``environmentally controlled agriculture,'' which uses sensing data to control the growing environment such as light, CO2, temperature, humidity, and airflow. In addition to the growth status visualization system, communication IC, and cultivation LED that we have already provided technical cooperation to NEXTAGE, we will aim to improve the profitability of modules and promote the provision of modules to new entrants without specialized knowledge. I will continue to do so.

In addition, by actually cultivating wasabi with NEXTAGE's support, we will be able to conduct plant factory operation and sales expansion, including research on operations such as planting seedlings, making nutrient solution, and pruning, creating manuals, and optimizing costs by developing mass production machines. We aim to acquire the necessary know-how and improve the service level in sales. Furthermore, we will accelerate experiments aimed at new uses of cutting-edge technologies handled by Macnica, as well as co-creation activities with companies entering plant factories.

Macnica will continue to promote its food and agritech business, aiming to enable everyone to utilize cutting-edge sustainable food and agricultural technologies in this era of global environmental change.

*1: Reference amount: 1,800 Wasabi stocks, enough for 2 sushi restaurants for 1 year (assuming an average annual usage of 90kg)
Calculated from 8g usage per person x average number of store visits 36.5 people x 330 days
The average number of store visits is from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's "Actual Situation of Restaurant Operations (Sushi Restaurants) and Management Improvement Measures"

[Contact us regarding this matter]
Macnica Food and Agritech Business
Tel: 045-470-9841
Email: mac-agritech@macnica.co.jp

*Company names and product names mentioned in this text are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macnica and each company.
*The information published in the news release (including product price, specifications, etc.) is current as of the date of announcement. Please note that the information may be subject to change without prior notice.