According to Jun Imano of Sumika Agrotech, their goal is to support growers in achieving high yields while saving water and reducing labor. "Our Sumisansui is not just a hose—it's a holistic solution for sustainable agriculture."
As climate volatility and water scarcity challenge growers worldwide, Sumika Agrotech offers a timely solution with its sustainable irrigation system, Sumisansui. Designed and manufactured in Japan, this innovative micro-perforated hose delivers uniform, lateral sprays of fine water droplets, ensuring consistent irrigation from start to finish.
© Sumika Agrotech
Optimizing early growth stages
The technology has proven particularly effective during the early crop stages, where uniform watering is essential for germination and rooting. "Trials in Japan and Spain, particularly with baby leaf and spinach, showed that Sumisansui outperformed conventional mini-sprinkler systems—even when using up to 40% less water."
He explains that the fine mist ensures optimal soil moisture without pooling or runoff. "This promotes homogeneous plant growth, reducing variability across the field and ultimately leading to stable, high yields."
Cost and labor efficiency
For growers, time is money—and irrigation systems can be time-consuming to install and maintain. Imano notes, "In crops like lettuce where frequent transplanting is common to maintain fresh produce supply, the ease of installation with Sumisansui becomes a major advantage."
He adds, "Traditional systems like drip lines or mini sprinklers are labor-intensive. With our system, you just lay it down—it's that simple. Growers save significantly on installation time and labor costs, especially when this process is repeated throughout the season."
© Sumika Agrotech
Sustainable and scalable
Beyond its performance in open fields, Sumisansui offers a dedicated model for greenhouse use. "Our greenhouse model works efficiently without the influence of wind and eliminates overlapping zones that waste water."
Sumika Agrotech has developed a variable product range tailored to different field sizes and growing environments, making the system adaptable to diverse agricultural needs. Imano emphasizes, "Water is essential for all crops, and our mission is to contribute to both the environment and the grower. With Sumisansui, we can reduce the burden of water use while boosting productivity."
Real-world validation
In Spain, where drought is an ongoing concern, the system has been especially well received. "Lettuce and baby leaf growers appreciate the uniform rooting and growth they see with our system. The difference compared to conventional sprinklers is immediately visible," says Imano.
A side-by-side trial showed improved seedling emergence on plots irrigated with Sumisansui R Wide versus traditional mini-sprinklers. Imano concludes, "This is a product that delivers on its promise—efficient, sustainable, and grower-friendly irrigation."
For more information:
Sumika Agrotech
Jun Imano, Marketing Manager: Europe
jun.imano@sumitomo-chemical.eu
www.sumika-agrotech.com