Japan’s farming industry is looking to new technology, like self-driving tractors, to deal with its lack of workers. Rural populations are decreasing, and the people who remain there are getting older. This aging population has found it more and more difficult to manage their farmland.

Farmers and manufacturers are particularly interested in creating “self-driving” tractors. These tractors do not need a person to drive them. Instead, the farmer can set a route and the tractor uses GPS to follow it. In theory, developers say, older farmers could complete most of their tasks without leaving their houses and even program these machines to work at night.

The first self-driving tractors are already available. Kubota Corp. released its first model for testing in June. At present, the Kubota tractor still needs a farmer to watch it while it works. However, the farmer can do this while driving another tractor, which means two machines can work at the same time. Kubota says this means the farmer can finish the task faster.　

Kubota and other rival companies like Iseki & Co. and Yanmar are working to make fully self-driving machines. One of the biggest remaining challenges is developing an accurate GPS system. Self-driving tractors need GPS systems to tell them where to go. At present, though, the systems are not always accurate enough, and the machinery can go off course by as much as 10 m. However, developers are working to fix these problems and hope to improve the GPS systems in the near future.

Farmers are looking at other ways to use technology to improve their farms. Other ideas include using computers to control temperatures inside farm buildings and water their plants more efficiently. Some scientists are working on machines to study the weather and help farmers protect their plants. In recent years, typhoons and hard rain have damaged farm plants, so giving farmers more accurate data is important.

The Japanese government says that self-driving tractors and other new ideas are very important for the Japanese farming industry. Currently, more than half of Japan’s farmers are over 65 years old, and the average age for a farmer is about 66 years old. The total number of people working on farms is falling every year. Between 2016 and 2017, the Japanese government estimates that the number of farm industry workers fell by about 100,000 people. As a result, farmers are often responsible for more land now than in the past.

Not everyone expects a completely high-tech future. Some farmers think that it’s wrong to use a lot of technology. Even farmers who use new technology often try to combine it with traditional farming techniques and knowledge. However, new technology may be essential because of the changing population in the countryside. Developers say that completely self-driving machines may be available in just a few years.

Japan’s farmers hope that new technology, like self-driving tractors, will help them with their work. There are fewer farmers and farm workers now than in the past. Farmers are also are getting older. It is becoming more and more difficult for them to care for their farms.

Farmers are particularly interested in “self-driving” tractors. These tractors do not need a person to drive them. The farmer can program a course. Then the tractor uses GPS to follow it. In the future, older farmers could do most of their work without leaving their house. Farmers could even program these machines to work at night.

The first self-driving tractors are already available. Kubota Corp. started selling its first model for testing in June. At present, the Kubota tractor still needs a farmer to watch it while it works. However, the farmer can do this while driving another tractor. That means two machines can work at the same time. Kubota says the farmer can finish their work faster.

Kubota, and other companies like Iseki & Co. and Yanmar, are working to make fully self-driving machines. One of the biggest problems is the GPS system. Self-driving tractors need GPS systems to tell them where to go. At present, the systems sometimes make mistakes. Sometimes the machine goes off course by as much as 10 m. However, makers are working to fix these problems. They hope to make better GPS systems in the near future.

Some farmers are trying other ways to use technology on their farms. One idea is using computers to set temperatures inside farm buildings. Computers can also water plants. Some scientists are working on machines to study the weather and help farmers keep their plants safe. In recent years, typhoons and hard rain have hurt farm plants. That’s why giving farmers better data is important.

The Japanese government says that new ideas are very important for the Japanese farms. Now, more than half of Japan’s farmers are over 65 years old. The total number of people working on farms is falling every year. The Japanese government said that between 2016 and 2017, the number of farm workers fell by about 100,000 people. As a result, farmers must care for more land now than in the past.

Not everyone wants to use new technology. Some farmers think that older ways are better. However, people in the countryside may need new technology to deal with their problems. Fully self-driving machines may be available in just a few years.