The company is expanding its own farm in Nikko and aims to contribute to the local community by shipping approximately 60 varieties of vegetables grown on about 1 hectare each year. Hikari no Sato Farm was launched in January 2023, and the company is supporting agricultural successors and promoting the supply of local products by taking over farmland.
大日光・エンジニアリング has established a farm of approximately 1 hectare in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, where it grows seasonal vegetables including tomatoes, cucumbers and Chinese cabbage. The farm also produces Noguchina, a traditional Nikko vegetable, and ships its produce to farm stands, local supermarkets, hotels and restaurants, capturing demand for vegetables produced in Nikko.
Hikari no Sato Farm started in January 2023 after taking over farmland that had been managed by a farmer in Nikko for approximately 20 years. The company has installed electricity and water infrastructure, as well as 6 plastic greenhouses assembled by its employees and others. Capital investment since the launch totals approximately ¥10 million.
The farm grows approximately 60 varieties of vegetables each year, planting them according to the season. It is also producing unusual varieties, such as purple okra, and responding to requests from restaurants. The harvest is shipped to the Daiya no Mori Shunsaikan farm stand in Nikko Daiya River Park and the local Kamashin supermarket, as well as supplied to hotels and restaurants.
The farm's operation is also creating employment opportunities, and it is operated by permanent and contract employees. The company is promoting the employment of employees seeking to return to work after leave and people with disabilities. It is also promoting contributions to the local community through agriculture, including by using materials from nearby pig farms and tofu shops as compost.