It has been a year since I took on the role of deputy farm manager.
I feel that this past year has been a time for me to look at the farm from a different perspective than my previous work and to continue to think about my own role and responsibilities.

When I first took up my position, the first thing that struck me was the great foundation that my predecessor, the deputy farm manager, had built.
The smooth running of daily operations is made possible by the accumulated judgement, coordination, and trust with the field. It was only when I actually took over the role that I realized the importance of farm management that was supported in areas that are not visible to the public, and the greatness of my predecessor's presence.

As a deputy farm manager, you are not only expected to perform each task to the highest standard, but also to consistently produce results for the farm as a whole. To achieve this, you need to understand the situation on-site, make forward-looking decisions, and provide direction when necessary.
Over the past year, even while I have been busy dealing with the issues at hand, I have always tried to be mindful of the background and impact of my decisions.

I also feel more strongly than ever before about the importance of human resource development and team building.
Pig farming is not a job that can be completed by one person, but rather it is made possible by the accumulation of daily work and cooperation. We understand that bringing out the best in each individual and working together as a team will lead to stable farm management.

On the other hand, over the past year I have come to realise how difficult it is to actually meet each individual and build relationships of trust while forming a team.
Everyone has different ways of thinking, experiences, and values, and even if the intention is the same, the way something is received can vary. There were many opportunities to learn the difficulty of communicating and the importance of understanding the other person.

As deputy farm manager, I feel that my role is not only to give instructions, but also to support and connect the field. Creating an environment where each person working on-site can demonstrate their abilities ultimately leads to the performance and stability of the entire farm. I am once again aware of the weight of that responsibility.

I would like to continue to build on the foundations built by my predecessor and make improvements in any way I can. I would like to contribute to the further development of the farm by sincerely engaging with the field and persistently working on human resource development and team building.

Hog Farming Division Hanaizumi Farm
Reiya Ozawa