Home > Press Room
News Releases
HitachiSoft
HitachiSoft is pleased to announce the launch of its latest “GeoMation Farm” series in June of this year. GeoMation Farm, which was initially developed in 2004, is a map-based farm information management system that allows users to manage farm and soil information and information about cultivated areas such as fields, paddy fields and pastures. It is targeted at agricultural cooperatives, agricultural mutual relief associations, agricultural corporations and other groups with ties to the agriculture industry; contract farmers; food manufacturers that cultivate their own agricultural products and the food service industry. The Company hopes to achieve sales of one billion yen.
The new system features improved information management and analysis functions including: product growth analysis and weather information management based on satellite images; soil optimization, which uses soil analysis results to determine the type and quantity of fertilizer that should be used; production history management, which assists with data collection at farm production sites; and a farming log. Accordingly, the latest version of GeoMation Farm will be able to provide a wide range or support for farms through the collection, analysis and practical application of agricultural data.
In recent years, rising consumer awareness of food safety issues, the influx of cheap agricultural imports, the challenge of adding value to agricultural products at the farm level, the expanding scale of farms and cost cutting through the reduction of farm resources have spurred major changes in the agriculture industry. These issues have created a need for IT-based management of agricultural data.
HitachiSoft anticipated that need in developing the map technology behind GeoMation Farm. Currently, the system is being used by several organizations, mainly in Hokkaido, to support the production of high-quality agricultural products. One example of the system's implementation is the use of satellite images to monitor the amount of protein in rice paddies. The quantity of fertilizer to use in the coming year is adjusted according to the amount of protein in each paddy.
Functions of the New GeoMation Farm
Utilizes satellite images to analyze the growth of wheat and protein level of rice. Uses the results to determine when to reap wheat, thereby reducing dehydration costs and improving quality, and to ensure suitable fertilizer management in the production of rice. 2. Soil Design
Supports “soil creation” by recommending optimal type and quantity of fertilizer based on analysis of soil conditions, the type of agricultural products being cultivated and their stage of growth. 3. Farming Log
Allows farmers to record their production history via a simple Internet-based input system. Users can consult maps of cultivated areas while recording information such as when, where, and what kind of activity was carried out. 4. Production History Management
Manages production information related to cultivated areas such as the use of agricultural chemicals, fertilizer, and the types of cultivation. The system is configured for various data input methods, such as through the Internet, by hand or in table format. 5. Analysis of Cultivated Areas
Analyzes cultivated areas and soil, displaying results via graphs and diagrams. Includes a weather-mapping feature that allows users to analyze the effects of weather on fields, etc., by mapping the data onto cultivated areas. 6. 3-Dimensional Cultivated Area Management
3-dimensional display of cultivated areas and soil information visually captures topographical variations in cultivated and surrounding areas, and is useful in providing accurate farm guidance.
Primary Markets: Agricultural cooperatives, agricultural mutual relief associations, agricultural corporations, food manufacturers, the food service industry
Sales Target: 1 billion yen (including system integration)
Product URL: http://www.hitachi-sk.co.jp/geomation/farm/
* The official name of HitachiSoft is Hitachi Software Engineering Co., Ltd.
* GeoMation is a registered trademark of HitachiSoft.
Inquiries:
Takehashi/ Takano
Corporate Communications
Hitachi Software Engineering Co., Ltd.
Tel: 03-5780-6450
Fax: 03-5780-6455
E-mail: press@hitachisoft.jp
