Ogata Village Akitakomachi Rice Producers co., ltd.

Ogata Village Akitakomachi Rice Producers is a Japanese rice production cooperative based in Ogata Village, Minami-Akita District, Akita Prefecture, Japan. The company specializes in the cultivation, harvesting, processing, and distribution of Akitakomachi, one of Japan's most prized short-grain rice varieties. Operating across large-scale paddy fields in the reclaimed Hachirogata lake basin, the cooperative manages approximately 100 hectares of rice cultivation with a highly organized and detail-oriented approach to every stage of the agricultural cycle.

The production process begins in March with the preparation of seedling soil through drying, crushing, and fertilizer mixing. Seed selection is conducted using the traditional salt-water flotation method to ensure only the healthiest seeds are used, followed by germination at precisely controlled water temperatures. Seedling greenhouses — each measuring 8 meters wide by 50 meters long — are erected in early April, and approximately 21,000 seedling trays are carefully arranged within them.

Transplanting takes place between mid and late May using a combination of 10-row and 8-row rice transplanting machines, requiring a team of approximately eight workers per day, targeting seven hectares of planting on clear weather days. Throughout the growing season, the company implements meticulous water management practices, conducting morning and evening field inspections to monitor irrigation levels. Weed control, furrow cutting for drainage, and ongoing soil management are integral parts of the mid-season operations.

Harvesting takes place from late September through early October using combine harvesters, with freshly cut rice transported by dump truck to storage facilities and placed into drying machines within one hour of harvest. The drying process reduces moisture content from 23–30% down to approximately 15% over a period exceeding 20 hours. Following drying, the rice undergoes husking and is sorted by grading screens into premium Akitakomachi table rice and processing-grade rice.

Post-harvest activities include underground drainage pipe installation using rice husks to manage the heavy clay soils characteristic of the reclaimed land. Winter months are dedicated to machinery maintenance, shipping preparation, and planning for the following season's planting cycle.

The company's operations reflect a deep commitment to agronomic precision, combining traditional rice-farming knowledge with mechanized large-scale production. Their location in Ogata Village — a purpose-built agricultural community developed from drained lake land — presents unique drainage and soil management challenges that the cooperative addresses with continuous innovation and field-level expertise. Their Akitakomachi rice is a highly regarded brand in the Japanese domestic market, known for its quality and regional provenance.