At Farm | Asahi Organic Chemicals Industry Co., Ltd

AOC is proud to contribute to farming that is conducted in coexistence with nature.
Various support activities are underway to secure a stable supply of farm products and ensure a vibrant rural life. Faucets manufactured by AOC are helping to supply agricultural water in Tokushima Prefecture's Yoshinokawa Basin.

"Yoshinokawa"

Yoshinokawa is one of Japan's three major rivers. While it is only the nation's 12th longest river and has the 17th greatest basin acreage, its flood water volume is the highest in all of Japan. Although repeated cycles of flooding and overflow provide the area with rich soil, they fail to provide local residents with the benefits of the water; the basin was suffering from constant water shortages. The use of new supplies of ground water spread during the rapid economic expansion after World War II. New wells were dug to supplement irrigation water, which had been in short supply due to the Nankai Earthquake of 1946. Saltwater subsidence and permeation from coastal areas led to salination of the now over-utilized groundwater, which became a serious problem. Furthermore, commuter communities developed downriver, which caused sanitary sewage to flow into irrigation canals and diminish the water quality. Rainwater and effluents collected, often, the canals overflowed. AOC's automatic water feeding valves are being used in agricultural water facilities that have been installed to resolve such problems.

"Yoshinokawa" Downriver Farmland Disaster Prevention Project

The Yoshinokawa Downriver Farmland Disaster Prevention Project works to supply clean water to downriver farms downriver via a natural flow, aiming to ensure a stable source of agricultural water. An agricultural water facility has been installed as part of this project, it is administered by the land improvement district, a public body consisting of farmers. This group was established with the objective of improving farming productivity as well as the structure of farming, and is engaged in soil improvement projects and the administration of farming facilities. In this particular region, AOC's automatic water feeding valves have been installed as part of each of the three systems that have been introduced:
(1) Separate the sanitary sewage that flows into the farm-supply canals and supply clean water through a dedicated farmland pipeline;
(2) Using pumps and making use of the changes in land elevation, convert the supply of water collected in each district into a consolidated water intake; and
(3) Combine separately administered facilities into a consolidated water intake structure and trunk canal.

Automatic Water Feeding Valve

Based on Durability and Ease of Use

The determining factors for the selection of AOC products were their durability, being made of plastic, and ease of use. Because the faucet is automated, it requires no manual intervention, even better, the automated water supply conserves water. These two are the greatest benefits. One need only set the appropriate maximum and minimum water levels needed for rice cultivation. The sensor detects the water level and, through a tube connected to the faucet's main body, automatically activates and deactivates the faucet as needed. This process makes use of the water pressure in the pipeline, requiring no electricity or other energy sources. Not only does this enable appropriate water control, it also eliminates water shortages. Of course, because it reduces work, it also leads to shorter work hours. In addition, it also protects effluent against contamination by fertilizers and chemicals, thus contributing to the prevention of eutrophication* in lakes and marshes. Although in principle it is operated year round, it can also be used manually in greenhouse horticulture, vineyard irrigation, and general watering.

*The creation of excess nutritive salts such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

Customers Opinions

Mr. Tomoaki Kubota of the Komatsushima Land Improvement District

One of the users of the agricultural water facility, Mr. Tomoaki Kubota, says, "Automatic faucets are indispensable for growing a lot of rice. They've made water control so much easier." Other users have had similar positive reactions, such as "It enables water conservation and even carves out some spare time," and "I can take small trips now, a luxury I couldn't afford before." Mr. Yoshinori Miki and Mr. Takanori Hara of the Kawauchi Land Improvement District also expressed their satisfaction: "It's great to realize that, since starting to use automatic faucets, we haven't been wasting water. When our members say irrigation has become much more convenient, I'm glad we began to use this system," and "Watering is a year-round process when we cultivate lotus roots, and in the past we've been plagued with the problem of freezing during periods of extreme cold. I understand that it's not such a problem now." AOC will continue to support Japanese agriculture by providing products that facilitate the supply of farming water.