Did you know that figs are being cultivated in Kojima?
The Kojima area of Kurashiki City is active in fig cultivation, reaching its peak shipping season in September.
In late August 2020, the harvest of figs began in the fig fields of Kojima.
At Shimotsui's Seaside Farm Namba Ranch Ice Cream Shop, pure Kojima-produced "fig gelato" will be released.
The fig gelato was conceived by students of the Business Department at Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School.
This article introduces the background of the gelato development by the students of the Business Department at Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School and the development process.
This article is a contribution by students of the Business Department at Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School. It has been re-edited and published by the Haretoco General Incorporated Association editorial team.
Why are the students of Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School developing gelato?
Why are the students of Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School developing gelato?
The Business Department at Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School and the Business Research Club have started an initiative called the "Kojimatching" project, which aims to match existing products in the Kojima area to create new value.
The first product they focused on was "figs".
Why focus on "figs"?
In April 2020, schools were temporarily closed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
During the school closure, while researching Kojima using the internet and other resources, I learned about Mr. Kango Kishimoto, who cultivates figs in Kayo, Kurashiki City.
The Business Department at Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School and the Business Research Club had previously collaborated on product development with the "Seaside Farm Namba Ranch Ice Cream Shop," which sparked the idea that this could become a new gelato.
Mr. Kango Kishimoto, who cultivates figs in Kojima
The one cultivating figs, which will be the raw material for the gelato, is Mr. Kango Kishimoto from Kayo, Kojima, Kurashiki City.
Mr. Kishimoto is a member of the Kurashiki City Agricultural Land Utilization Optimization Promotion Committee, working on measures for abandoned farmland, and has been cultivating figs for over 30 years on about 2 hectares of farmland, starting from his father's generation.
Figs are a tree that is resistant to weeds and can be part of the measures against abandoned farmland.
Figs can yield about 8 to 9 fruits from one branch and around 200 fruits from one plant.
However, figs are a very delicate fruit.
To prevent pests, each plant is checked to find pests like longhorn beetles.
Additionally, harvesting is done early in the morning when the sugar content is high, and during the peak harvest season in September, daily watering is essential to withstand the intense heat.
However, if they are caught in the rain, their market value decreases.
Those that cannot be shipped are processed into jams or juices.
Therefore, we thought about how to utilize the figs that cannot be shipped for the "fig gelato".
The ranch with a view of the sea, "Seaside Farm Namba Ranch Ice Cream Shop"
The one processing figs into gelato is the Seaside Farm Namba Ranch Ice Cream Shop.
Opened on January 11, 2019, it boasts a perfect location overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.
It is an ice cream shop that uses fresh milk produced from cows raised in a stress-free environment.
The types of ice cream available include the following 8 flavors as regular menu items.
- Milk
- Chocolate
- Strawberry
- Cookie
- Cheese
- Matcha
- Coffee
- Hojicha
Additionally, there were limited-time menu items such as "Pione" and "Mango" (as of August 2020).
The charm lies in being able to enjoy different ice creams according to the season. There are also cup ice creams that can be stored in home freezers, sold for 300 yen (tax included).
The prototype of fig gelato is complete! "Now, let's taste it!!"
Immediately, the prototype of "fig gelato" made with figs harvested from Mr. Kishimoto's field was completed.
And "Now, let's taste it!!"
The words coming from the members who went for the interview were simply "Delicious...!!" That's all.
No clever words came to mind (laugh).
Namba Ranch is a dairy farm that has been in operation for three generations, and the one who cooperated was the third generation, Mr. Kodai Namba.
Originally, figs harvested from Mr. Kishimoto's field were sold at the shop, so this matching process went smoothly.
Then, to improve the product, they exchanged information and made the following suggestions.
- It might be better to have a bit more of the unique texture of figs.
- Since the milk is rich, perhaps try increasing the amount of figs.
Fig gelato is a limited-time product available only while figs are in season!
Thus, after developing with Mr. Namba, the improved "fig gelato" will be unveiled at the store in early September 2020.
The product's POP (point of purchase) was also created by the members of the Business Research Club!
On the second floor of the store, you can enjoy gelato while overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. Especially during sunset, it is the perfect location for taking photos.
Say hello to the cows after eating gelato!
As you walk down the hill from the shop, you will find a cow barn where about 50 cows, including Holsteins, Jerseys, and Japanese Black cattle, live gracefully while overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.
Cute goats and kittens also welcomed us.
While we were greeting the cows, we received an unexpected request from Mr. Namba!
We were given the great honor of naming a calf that was born on August 3, 2020.
Once we name the calf, it will be registered, and a registration certificate will be issued.
Please be sure to visit and meet the calf as well.
Thus, after developing fig gelato, we were unexpectedly given the opportunity to name a calf, and while watching the sunset over the Seto Inland Sea, we completed our first interview.
In conclusion
About 66,000 people live in the Kojima area.
If each person buys a single cup (300 yen) once a year, it would generate an impressive sales figure of about 20 million yen.
This is "Kojimatching," made possible by the vibrant ingredients from Kojima.
The "fig gelato" is a product that brings together the aspirations of those engaged in agriculture and dairy farming in Kojima.
We hope that as many people as possible will get to taste it.
Our challenge has just begun.
Participants wanted for the "Kojimatching" project
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is difficult to attract tourists from afar.
Therefore, we are considering measures to help local people learn about the goodness of their hometown, themed around "micro-tourism."
The Kojima area has a wide variety of local specialties, each shining brightly.
By successfully matching these, we believe we can create new value.
We, the students of the Business Department at Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School, are taking on the task of bridging this gap and wish to learn about real business.
If you are interested, please contact Washu High School.
Data on Seaside Farm Namba Ranch Ice Cream Shop
| Name | Seaside Farm Namba Ranch Ice Cream Shop |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-2388-11 Shimotsui, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-479-9596 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | April to October: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM November to March: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Regular Holiday | Wednesday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation | No |
| Seating | 25 seats |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Seaside Farm Namba Ranch Ice Cream Shop |
