Japan farmers plant, pray for radiation-free rice
FUKUSHIMA, Japan, MAY 28 (AP/UNB) - Several thousand rice farmers whose crops had too much radiation to sell last year because of Japan's nuclear disaster are planting again and praying for better results.
The government has barred farmers closest to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant from growing crops, but many whose last crops were deemed unsafe to eat have the go-ahead to try again. Every grain of rice they grow will be checked for radiation.
The farmers have treated the soil to prevent rice seedlings from absorbing the radioactive cesium that spilled from Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant after the March 11, 2011, tsunami.
They say they are worried but are compelled to try. Rice farming is almost sacred in rural Japan, and the government protects farmers with tight import restrictions.
The government has barred farmers closest to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant from growing crops, but many whose last crops were deemed unsafe to eat have the go-ahead to try again. Every grain of rice they grow will be checked for radiation.
The farmers have treated the soil to prevent rice seedlings from absorbing the radioactive cesium that spilled from Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant after the March 11, 2011, tsunami.
They say they are worried but are compelled to try. Rice farming is almost sacred in rural Japan, and the government protects farmers with tight import restrictions.
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