Improving Drainage
To dry out the reclaimed farmland, pipes were laid beneath the rice fields to channel water to the drainage system.
This system is known as ankyo (subsurface drainage).
Initially, a uniform network of drainage pipes was installed across
Ogata Village’s farmland, but the effectiveness varied due to differences in soil types.
As a result, individual farmers undertook the task of redoing the drainage systems on their own.
These efforts are known as jiriki ankyo (self-installed drainage) and are a testament to the pioneering spirit of the settlers.
The Mechanism of Subsurface Drainage
The subsurface drainage pipe has many holes, allowing water from the soil to enter the pipe and flow into the drainage channel.
