Nclear Watch: Japan Resumption of rice farming slow in Fukushima (06/11/2014)

Resumption of rice farming slow in Fukushima NHK has learned that farmers in 6 municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture have resumed rice planting in only about 2 percent of available rice fields, even after restrictions were lifted in the spring. Following the March 2011 crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, the central government restricted rice farming in 12 municipalities in the prefecture due to fears of radioactive contamination. Farmers had also voluntarily suspended rice growing. Those restrictions and self-imposed suspensions were lifted this spring on about 5,200 hectares of land in 6 municipalities. The move followed a decline in radiation levels and the lifting of a ban on entering the areas. In Minamisoma City, rice planting has resumed on 111 hectares, or 3.4 percent of the total area available. This is followed by 0.2 percent in Tomioka Town, 0.1 percent in Namie and Okuma towns, and 0.06 percent in Katsurao Village. Rice planting has not been resumed at all in Futaba Town. Municipal officials say insufficient decontamination of the rice fields and irrigation canals is one reason for the low resumption rate. Officials in 5 of the 6 municipalities say that before resuming full-scale rice farming, they will plant rice on an experimental basis and confirm the impact of radioactivity on the crop. The central government says it wants to proceed with decontaminating the rice fields and irrigation canals. It also needs to address decreased motivation among farmers and local anxiety over rumors about contaminated harvests. Jun. 11, 2014 - Updated 02:45 UTC http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html