Shimane farmers struggle with heat and low rainfall

Farmers in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, are facing significant challenges due to extreme heat and insufficient rainfall. During events held for ‘Vegetable Day’ on August 31, local direct sales facilities reported that while ‘non-standard’ vegetables—those with irregular shapes or colors that cannot be sold in supermarkets—remain popular due to their affordability, overall yields have been severely impacted.

Local farmers reported drastic reductions in harvests; for instance, one farmer noted that bell pepper yields dropped to approximately one-fifth of usual levels, while pumpkin harvests fell to less than ten percent. The harsh summer conditions necessitated intensive manual watering to sustain crops.