From Volcanic Ash, Hope for Thin Farmland! Origin Geo(R)," a "one and only" agricultural material, was born! Kagoshima's "Hometown Tax Payment Project" Starts to Cultivate the Future!

On July 1, 2025, ethicalT. (CEO: Naoko Uehara), a limited liability company headquartered in Kagoshima City, Japan, will launch a new challenge to solve Kagoshima's agricultural problems on the crowdfunding Furusato for Good platform, "Furusato Tax for Good". Hope for the poor farmland in Kagoshima! Furusato Tax forGood", a platform for tax payment in Kagoshima, has started.

Furusato Tax Payment for Good": https://furusato-forgood.jp/projects/000293

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This project aims to improve farmers' income and realize environmentally friendly sustainable agriculture by using Origin Geo(R), an organic JAS-compliant soil improvement material, to address agricultural problems faced by farmers, such as poor farmland and continuous crop failure.

The challenge to cultivate the future of agriculture from volcanic ash will start with Origin Geo(R), a "one and only" soil improvement material that combines the three characteristics of "volcanic ash shirasu" from the Paleolithic period about 30,000 years ago, "JAS organic compliant" and "bio-stimulant".

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Project Outline

Project name : Cultivating the future with "volcanic blessings", solving problems with 30,000-year-old volcanic ash!

Period: July 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025

URL : https://furusato-forgood.jp/projects/000293

<Example of returns

15,000 yen: "Kagoshima Kurobuta Satsuma" 3 kinds for shabu-shabu 900g

50,000 yen: Select later [Furusato Gift] 50,000 yen

92,000 yen: SHIROYAMA HOTEL kagoshima (Forest twin room, 1 night with breakfast)

Redefining regional issues with a reversal of ideas: From "negative" to "resource

While Kagoshima Prefecture boasts the second largest agricultural output in Japan (according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), the take-home pay of farmers remains the lowest in the country. The main reason for this is the "Shirasu Plateau," which was formed by volcanic eruptions and has extremely well-drained soil. Because water and fertilizer run off deep into the ground, it is difficult to stabilize yield and quality, and the burden on farmers is increasing year by year.

ethicalT. has reevaluated this challenge as a "local resource. Origin Geo(R)," a material that utilizes "Shirasu Balloon," a fine, hollow material made from locally collected volcanic ash Shirasu, has been developed. This material improves the soil's water retention and fertilizer retention capacity, and makes it possible for plants themselves to increase their tolerance to environmental stresses.

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■Future-oriented agriculture with less environmental impact and the trust of JAS organic certification

Originsio(R) is the only biostimulant material registered on the official list of JAS-compliant organic materials in Japan. This is a new agricultural technology that draws out the inherent power of plants without relying on fertilizers or pesticides, which not only reduces the burden on the environment but also contributes to the "Green Food System Strategy" as a decarbonized agricultural model.

Several local farmers have already begun to introduce the technology, and have reported improved water retention, reduced continuous crop failure, and eliminated the need for additional fertilizer.

Biostimulant Materials" Attracting Worldwide Attention

Biostimulants are the latest agricultural technology that has been attracting attention for its ability to draw out the natural power of plants and soil to grow plants that can withstand high temperatures, long rains, drought, and lack of sunlight. By using Originsio(R), microorganisms around the roots of plants are activated, and root growth is further promoted. This further promotes root growth.

In addition, lateral and fine roots grow and the absorption rate of water and nutrients improves. Biostimulants are attracting attention from around the world as a material that improves soil without placing a burden on the environment.

Innovation of Originsio(R)

Comment from Naoko Uehara, Representative Director of EthicalT.

We have been working with farmers in Kagoshima, who grew up on the Shirasu plateau, to find a way to change the "suffering" of agriculture into "pride. We want to realize agriculture with local resources so that their children and grandchildren will be able to "proudly take over their fields. That is the starting point of this project.

Representative photo

Voices of local farmers

The soil has changed.

The taste of vegetables has improved.

Water retention in the greenhouses has doubled or tripled.

No more crop failure.

I don't have to apply fertilizer anymore!

I have a good feeling these days.

Vegetables are more vigorous.

Yields have increased and quality has improved.

The yield and quality of the vegetables have improved.

We have received many "smiles" from the farmers.

Farmers' Voices

Lastly, we received the following comments from the farmers.

We hope that farmers will be able to pass on their farms to their children and grandchildren with pride in Kagoshima.

This is our wish.

For many years, agriculture in Kagoshima has suffered from the Shirasu Plateau. We believe that the "Shirasu" of this region has the power to turn suffering into hope, and through our research we have created "Originsio(R)".

Our philosophy is "to make life better while being friendly to the environment.

The realization of sustainable agriculture through the use of shirasu is a practical application of this philosophy.

We cannot accomplish this challenge alone. We need the warm support and encouragement of each and every one of you.

We hope for a hopeful future for agriculture!

Naoko Uehara, President of ethicalT.

Naoko Uehara, Representative Employee

Company Profile

Company name: ethicalT.

Location: 1669 Higashisata-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, 891-1302, Japan

Representative: Naoko Uehara

Establishment: May 30, 2024

Business : Manufacturing and sales of processed shirasu balloon (volcanic ash shirasu) products

Capital: 500 thousand yen

URL ： https://ethical-t.com

SNS ： https://www.instagram.com/ethicalt2024/