On November 4th, children from HU affiliated kindergarten harvested rice from a paddy field in the Ecological Experiment Garden, Higashi-Hiroshima campus.

When the School of Science moved to Higashi-Hiroshima city, there was an abandoned rice field beside its buildings. Faculty and staff members of the School restored the rice field in 1992 in order to utilize the precious natural environment for their education and research.

They grow rice every year since 1993, and initially, rice planting and harvesting were done by students, teachers and staffs. Pupils of our university’s affiliated kindergarten nowadays participated in rice planting and harvesting as part of their school curriculum; nature experience and dietary education.

Students of the Plant Biology Course in the Graduate School of Science participate in rice planting and harvesting as well. Mr. Shioji who is in charge of taking care of the rice field says, “Some of the graduate students never had a chance to plant or harvest rice, so I hope that this will be a good opportunity for them too.”

The children were able to reap plentiful rice plants taller than their height. The type of rice they harvested is an ancient rice variety called “black rice.” It is a different type from what they are used to eating. When peeled the rice husk, some children yelled, “The rice is black!” They also tried to sniff and bite the rice, and enjoyed their experience throughout the day.

We will continue to plant and harvest rice.

A teacher from the Ecological Experiment Garden explaining how to harvest the rice plant	Children looking intently at the black rice
They were able to cut the rice plant well.	Kindergarten children carrying back the rice plant together. One two, One two!

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