Asai Nursery: Pioneering innovation in Japanese agriculture with LetsGrow.com

A legacy of innovation and expansion
Founded in 1907, Asai Nursery has grown from a family-run tree-plant nursery into a leader in Japanese agriculture, cultivating tomatoes, kiwis, and exploring new crops such as avocado, wasabi, and strawberries. Under the leadership of fifth-generation family member Yuichiro Asai, the company remains focused on advancing agricultural innovation. "What sets us apart is our integrated approach, combining cultivation with research and development," says Koreto Ohminato, Business Development Unit Manager of Asai Nursery. Through a partnership with New Zealand's Zespri, Asai Nursery also produces high-quality kiwis, reinforcing its position at the forefront of progress. With operations spanning five tomato greenhouses over 13 hectares and two kiwi orchards covering 15 hectares, the company is further expanding with a new greenhouse in Hokkaido and a research facility in Okinawa focused on avocado cultivation. These developments reflect their commitment to innovation and enhancing production capabilities.

Data-driven cultivation with LetsGrow.com
Central to Asai Nursery's success is its data-driven approach to growing, supported by its partnership with LetsGrow.com. By integrating advanced solutions like the Strategy Manager, the company bridges research insights with practical application, enabling informed decision-making at every stage of the cultivation process.

Empowering growers with the Strategy Manager
At the heart of Asai Nursery’s data-driven cultivation lies the Strategy Manager, a powerful tool that enables growers to visualize correlations, set precise targets, and optimize processes with greater speed and accuracy. "It’s far easier to make data-driven decisions now compared to spreadsheets," explains Yoshiki Gama, tomato head grower at Asai Nursery.

Complementary tools such as the Strategy Scan further enhance the company's ability to analyze past environmental conditions and greenhouse settings. This has been instrumental in refining nighttime temperature and humidity strategies, ensuring optimal conditions for their crops. These solutions simplify the process for both experienced and less experienced team members, supporting the company’s scaling efforts.

Enhancing operations with innovative tools
The Yield Prediction tool, currently being optimized for Asai Nursery, shows great promise for improving supply chain management and profitability through more accurate yield forecasts. By integrating historical data from the Crop Registration App, prediction accuracy continues to improve. "Last year, we worked with just one year of historical data, but with two years now available, we anticipate even better results," says Koreto Ohminato. The app has also simplified data collection, transitioning from manual paper methods to a more user-friendly and visually intuitive process, especially for tasks like monitoring flowering and fruit set. "We are involving part-timers in data collection, and even new users find the app easy to use," Koreto adds.

Alongside this, the RTR tool, introduced in March 2024, plays a vital role in maintaining crop balance from the start of the cultivation cycle. Asai emphasizes that this tool is an essential component of their research-based cultivation approach, reinforcing their commitment to data-driven, sustainable growing. Consolidating research and analysis on LetsGrow.com ensures greater efficiency and accuracy compared to old spreadsheet-based methods, further enhancing operational performance.

A future rooted in innovation
Asai Nursery looks to the future with enthusiasm and confidence, building on the potential of its collaboration with LetsGrow.com. Advanced solutions like the Strategy Manager, complemented by tools such as the Strategy Scan and Yield Prediction, are central to their strategy, supporting growth, sustainability, and profitability. With a strong focus on innovation and data-driven cultivation, the company is well-positioned to remain at the forefront of Japan’s agricultural industry.