From Suits to Soil: Vice President Jusuf Kalla Picks Tomatoes Inside Tokyo’s Underground High-Tech Farm!

This article is a repost of a Jurnal Atani Tokyo article dated February 1, 2009, originally published in Indonesian and translated into English to make it more accessible to international readers.

At exactly 2:00 p.m. on February 1, 2009, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Mrs. Mufidah Jusuf Kalla, accompanied by Minister of National Education Bambang Sudibyo, Ambassador Jusuf Anwar and Mrs. Lastrijah Jusuf Anwar, along with their delegation, arrived at the Pasona O2 Model Farm.

This farm is located on the second basement floor of the Nomura Building, situated in the heart of Tokyo, at 2-1-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku. Upon arrival at the courtyard of the Nomura Building, the Vice President was welcomed by Pasona O2 President Yasuyuki Nambu, Senior Managing Director Junko Fukuzawa, Executive Director Yoshihisa Endo, and the staff of Pasona O2.

During the visit, the Vice President listened attentively to the explanation given by President Yasuyuki Nambu. He explained that the establishment of Pasona O2 aimed to attract young people to pursue careers in agriculture.

The agricultural system developed at Pasona O2 uses hydroponic methods and lighting from Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), fluorescent lamps, and high-pressure sodium vapor lamps, combined with automated temperature control. Vegetables produced outside the city require considerable transportation time and often lose freshness. In contrast, vegetables grown here can be consumed while still fresh, reportedly containing up to ten times more nutritional value compared to those produced elsewhere.

When the Vice President, Jusuf Kalla, asked whether agricultural products using this technique could already be commercialized, the President of Pasona O2, Yasuyuki Nambu, replied that rice production had not yet reached commercial scale. However, using this method they were able to harvest rice three times a year, whereas with conventional outdoor farming they could harvest only once annually, at the end of summer.

In Japan, vegetables grown using hydroponic methods combined with artificial lighting have already been commercialized. Although vegetables cultivated indoors are slightly more expensive, consumers favor these technologically produced crops because of their high quality and safety for consumption.

Mr. Nambu proudly noted that former Prime Ministers Junichiro Koizumi and Yasuo Fukuda had visited Pasona O2. He also explained that, according to astronauts, this technology could potentially be developed for application in outer space, allowing astronauts to eat fresh vegetables rather than preserved food. Furthermore, this method could open possibilities for establishing agriculture in desert regions.

On that occasion, the Vice President graciously picked a ripe red tomato. Although a harvesting tool had been prepared for him, he chose to pluck it directly with his fingers and immediately tasted it. “It tastes good,” he remarked. When a photojournalist pointed out a smaller yellow tomato, the Vice President swiftly picked and ate it as well. “This one tastes even better—the yellow ones are indeed delicious,” he said, prompting cheerful laughter from the visitors.

The President of Pasona O2, Yasuyuki Nambu, explained his future plans, stating that Pasona O2 was designing a new agricultural facility covering 18,000 square meters, equipped with more advanced technology that would allow people to enjoy fresh produce directly while working. He emphasized that, dressed in a suit and tie, one could easily engage in agricultural activities—as long as the necessary facilities and infrastructure were supported by cutting-edge technology.

He added that Pasona O2 had successfully attracted many young people to work in agriculture using modern technological approaches. It is hoped that this initiative would help Japan increase its food self-sufficiency rate from 40% to 55%, thereby reducing dependence on imported agricultural products.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated that Indonesia is fortunate to have vast and fertile land with abundant sunlight. Alhamdulillah, Indonesia has now achieved self-sufficiency in rice, corn, and consumer sugar. This achievement, he noted, must be maintained and further developed through the adoption of more advanced technologies.

 

Source:
Jurnal Atani Tokyo, posted on February 1, 2009. https://atanitokyo.blogspot.com/2009/02/wapres-jusuf-kalla-petik-tomat-merah.html

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