Second Food and Agriculture Linkage Award Winners Announced
Overview
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries selected a total of 12 companies, organizations, and other recipients across four divisions for the second Food and Agriculture Linkage Award. Winners include recipients of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award and other honors. The awards ceremony is scheduled for November 20, 2026. The source article introduces the winners and their initiatives by division. Details of the initiatives and information about the ceremony are available on the special website.
Key points
- A total of 12 companies, organizations, and other recipients were selected across four divisions for the second Food and Agriculture Linkage Award.
- The award recognizes exemplary initiatives that promote mutual understanding, coordination, and collaboration among stakeholders and organizations involved in the food system.
- The awards ceremony is scheduled for November 20, 2026.
- The source article lists award recipients and their initiatives in each division.
Overview
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries presents awards for initiatives aligned with the objectives of the Basic Act on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas and related policies, as part of the Nippon Food Shift project. The program has been implemented since fiscal 2025 and is open to companies, organizations, and individuals involved in the food system, from producers and food businesses to consumers.
An expert review committee evaluated the applications and selected recipients of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award and other honors. Many companies, organizations, and other applicants submitted entries this year as well.
Details
In the “Stable Food Supply” division, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award went to Ume Hikari Co., Ltd. for its integrated operations from plum cultivation through processing and sales, restoration of abandoned farmland, and training of new farmers. The Minister's Secretariat Director-General's Award went to the Yamaguchi Grain Corn Council for cultivating corn for feed, building a factory for feed made with domestic ingredients, and linking crop and livestock farming. Himuka Farm Co., Ltd. is working to grow hebesu citrus on abandoned farmland and develop sales channels.
In the “Securing Food Access” division, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award went to the Kit anagase Area Management General Incorporated Association, which operates a community fridge where households in need can access donated food. The Chikugo Iきいき Delivery Challenge Group runs a delivery service in partnership with shopping streets, using senior workers as delivery staff. The specified nonprofit corporation e-Work Ehime operates a combination of initiatives, including a food bank.
In the “Building a Sustainable Food System” division, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award went to Tech Vegetus Co., Ltd., which developed a digital information-sharing platform connecting producers, commercial users, and distributors. Toyamanome General Incorporated Association established a community for young farmers and built partnerships with companies, while Yamagata Sanso Co., Ltd. developed technology to keep cherries fresh for longer.
In the “Development and Adoption of Smart Agriculture Technologies” division, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award went to Farmnote Co., Ltd. The company provides an integrated suite of herd management cloud services, behavior sensors, and genomic testing, and also conducts on-farm trials, exchanges between producers and commercial users, and career education for high school students. Details of the initiatives and information about the awards ceremony are available on the special website, “Food and Agriculture Linkage Award 2026.”