We made a birdhouse lease at a kiwi fruit farm in Nankan Town, Tamana District, in the north of Kumamoto Prefecture.
The company we were able to partner with this time was New Gaia Agri Co., Ltd. (https://www.shibaura-group.com/agri/)
They grow kiwifruit, the brand known as "Zespri" for its cute mascot character commercials.
One day in late April, 51 hives were introduced to the kiwifruit farm.
Unfortunately it rained on the day we introduced the beehives.
The kiwi fruit flowers, which had just begun to bloom the day before the plants were installed, were also dripping with water.
The farm stretches as far as the eye can see and apparently covers an area of 3.4 hectares (approximately 18,000 tatami mats). Just getting around is quite a challenge.
As the light rain continues to fall, we set up the nest boxes.
The people there, who all work outdoors for a living, seemed to be used to bad weather and placed the beehives one after another.
After all the hives are set up, we finally open the entrance to the hives. We calm the bees with smoke from a smoker so they don't fly out aggressively.
After a while, bees emerge from the hive entrance one after another.
As we watched them fly off in all directions, we all let out a sigh of relief.
For the time being, this farm will be the new home for the bees. Perhaps out of parental love, the beekeeping club members looked at the hives with loving eyes, hoping that they would get used to the new home quickly and do well.
For about 20 days after installation, the bees will carry pollen from the kiwifruit flowers that have begun to bloom, helping with pollination.
Pollen is an important source of nutrition for honeybees, and kiwi flowers produce lots of pollen, making them a delightful treat.
The flower that helped with pollination this time was the Zespri variety called Sungold.
The fruit actually begins to ripen in October.
Honeybees and kiwifruit, both grown in the lush greenery of Kumamoto, combine to create a flavor that we can't wait to taste!
Interview cooperation: New Gaia Agri Co., Ltd., Zessprefresh Produce Japan Co., Ltd.
