Our lives are supported by the global economy, and food is no exception. Agriculture in the Fukushima area has been seriously affected by the Fukushima nuclear accident. Actions taken to control radio cesium crop contamination were very successful, but consumers still hesitate to purchase foods produced in Fukushima. Chemical fertilizers used in intensive farming systems reduce micronutrients such as zinc and selenium, and as a consequence crops produced under such management regimes are not always good for human health. Is it therefore possible to compare the risks posed by radiological contamination with those of intensive farming?

This project examines cropland nutrient pool and budgets and evaluates radio cesium contamination of food. Comparing conventional, organic and conservation farming methods, we will propose the scale of system that allows farmers and consumers to maintain effective nutrient cycling and reliable relationships.