As part of its groundwater conservation activities in Kumamoto, NOK九州 carried out a rice harvest under the Rice Paddy Owner System. Some of the harvested rice is scheduled to be donated to children's cafeterias and other organisations, while the company worked with local producers to promote groundwater recharge.
NOK九州株式会社 has participated in the Rice Paddy Owner System in areas including Kumamoto City for 8 consecutive years since 2019, with the aim of protecting Kumamoto's groundwater, and carried out rice harvesting on 10 October. The rice was planted in June, and participants experienced harvesting it by hand with sickles. The event was held at a rice paddy in Ozu Town, Kikuchi District, Kumamoto Prefecture, and the participants comprised a total of 39 NOK九州 employees and family members.
The Rice Paddy Owner System operated by the Kumamoto Groundwater Foundation is a scheme in which rice producers and owner companies jointly grow rice, allowing water stored in the paddies to permeate into the ground and replenish groundwater. NOK九州 continues to participate in the scheme and is working to conserve the region's water resources.
During the rice harvest, some of the harvested rice is planned to be donated. Potential recipients include a food bank in Kumamoto City and children's cafeterias organised by Volters. Comments from participants included recognition of the difficulty of working by hand and a renewed appreciation of the role rice paddies play in nurturing groundwater.
Through the Rice Paddy Owner System, which aims to conserve groundwater, the Kumamoto Groundwater Foundation is promoting efforts to protect the relationship between rice paddies and groundwater across the community. NOK九州 is working to conserve water resources at its business locations, including 4 sites in the Aso region, and continues to contribute to the local community through rice cultivation.