The Institute of Agricultural Machinery, NARO (IAM/NARO) concentrates on applying robotics and ICT to agricultural work by focusing on collaborations with different research fields. Our goal is to achieve improving productivity, labor-saving, reduction of environmental burdens, and commonizing safe agricultural work by R&D of leading edge agricultural machinery and technology.

IAM/NARO News

Development of a method to easily determine body condition score of dairy cattle

National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) has developed a method to easily and accurately determine body condition score (BCS), using two-dimensional images taken from the rear of dairy cattle (Holstein breed). BCS is an important indicator for nutritional management of dairy cattle. BCS was previously determined by experts by visual inspection and palpation. This research result enables the determination of BCS with high accuracy from images taken with mobile devices such as smartphones.This will lead to efficient & appropriate nutritional management and improved breeding. Hence it is expected to improve longevity and rebreeding ability. Read more


Development of a planting position control mechanism that enables mechanical weeding in both longitudinal and lateral direction

The National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) has developed a planting position control mechanism that allows rice seedlings to be planted in both longitudinal and lateral rows. Mechanical weeding in both longitudinal and lateral direction is now possible by planting in rows at equal intervals and weeding efficiency is improved among plants where weeding rates were previously low. It is expected that by utilizing a rice transplanter equipped with a planting position control mechanism will contribute to the expansion of organic rice cultivation in paddy fields, where the hassle of weeding has been an obstacle. Read more


Development of automatic implement replacement technology for robot tractor

National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) has developed a technology that automates the replacement of tractor implement, which is essential for further labor saving in work using robot tractor. This technology is expected to reduce agricultural accidents because it eliminates the need for human intervention during the replacement of implement, which can be dangerous. It saves labor significantly when attaching and detaching implement, and it also contributes to the realization of completely unmanned agricultural work. Read more


Publication of use case collection that embody the road map for expanding Open API specifications for agricultural machinery and realizing data utilization

In order to realize easy-to-use data linkage for farmers at the production site, along with expanding the specifications of the Agricultural Machinery Open Application Programming Interface (API), which was developed in the year 2021, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) has compiled and published the results of the effectiveness verification conducted at the production site as the "Achievement Report - 2022". Along with this "Use Cases Collection" that lists prioritized items so that farmers can experience the effects of data linkage has been published. It is expected that this will accelerate the realization of data linkage that transcends the boundaries between manufacturers and promote the use and application of data by farmers. Read more


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