Back Rev. Kazuo Wakugami
President, Sekai Kyusei Kyo, Bangkok, Thailand
Mr. Chairman, Professor Dr. Teruo Higa,
Dr. U. Umemura,
Mrs. Puengpit Dulyapach,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is
indeed with great happiness that I on behalf of the organizing committee,
welcome you all to this beautiful country - The Royal Kingdom of Thailand.
Today is indeed a very happy day for me to welcome you to the Fifth
International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming and EM Technology, at a time,
when these activities are flourishing in this Kingdom.
Ladies
and Gentlemen, there is a saying in the Orient that when one gets a shock -
especially one that brings very bad news - a person becomes benumbed for a
little while. Thereafter, that person, thinks a little, gathers courage and
moves to greater heights.
This is true. On the 8th on this month, we heard that the China Agricultural University had decided to cancel this conference, to which a small dedicated staff had put all their energy. The reasons given were rather hazy. However, this was the official decision. It was a big shock and disappointment. But more were to follow - as problems come in heaps and not individually. On the 10th,
the sponsors of this conference, the International Nature Farming Research
Center of Atami, Japan decided to reschedule the conference in Thailand. I was
told of it on the 11th. This was a greater shock. But, Kyusei Nature
Farming and EM Technology has much to offer to the world, and we decided to
accept the challenge.
Today, we are here - participants from 28 countries from all continents,
with many important people to hold this conference, organized in Thailand
in a matter of 1 2 days. It was a gigantic task, but I must take this opportunity
to express my gratitude to the very small but dedicated staff here for
making this event a possibility and a success. This makes me very happy.
That I have the chance to welcome the delegates for the International Conference
on Kyusei Nature Farming for the second time -the first being in 1989 -
when the First International Conference was held in Khon Kaen, Thailand.
I
also express my deepest thanks to Mrs. Puengpit Dulyapach, Director of the
Agricultural Administrative Development Division, who is here with us as the
Guest of Honor. Amidst a very pressing schedule of official duties, she is here with us, as she too believes that
Kyusei Nature Farming and EM Technology has a significant role to play in the
agricultural and environmental management of this Kingdom. Therefore, her
department is adopting the technology in all parts of the Kingdom.
We have with us the President of IFOAM and also the Vice
President. The former is the Chairman of this session. Mr. Herve la Prairie is
a dear friend of ours, as he understand our basic philosophy to produce healthy
food and make this environment a better place. I thank you for being here with
us today.
Many of you have come from all continents of the world changing
the flight plans at the last moment. This is indeed an encouragement to us to
know that you appreciate the philosophy and the technology of Kyusei Nature
Farming and EM Technology.
The concept of Kyusei Nature Farming, founded by Mokichi Okada in 1935
was strengthened by the inclusion of EM Technology about 45 years later.
The technology was introduced into Thailand in the early 1980fs and to
the world from this Kingdom in 1989 with the First International Conference
held in Khon Kaen. Since then it has progressed and we have trained over
15000 people. We have introduced it into the curricula of schools and many
small and commercial farming organizations. It is being used in environmental
management very successfully. Therefore, Thailand is a very good venue
to hold this conference, as we have much to offer to the world through
this method of farming and technology and I am glad that we were given
the task of coming to the rescue to hold this conference here.
Therefore, I am very pleased to welcome you the second time, although organizing
this conference in 12 days was indeed an impossible task.
Ladies and gentlemen, this conference organized in 12 days may have some
shortfalls. We have tried our best to consider all aspects for your comfort
and for a very successful and enlightening program. If there are small
errors please do forgive us, and tell the staff if you need assistance.
I apologize for any misgivings.
Dear friends, Thank you again for coming. Your presence here has given
us strength to move forward in spite of problems. The problems are only
small potholes on the road to success, and this makes us more confident
and stronger.
I wish to all a very happy stay in Thailand, a very fruitful
conference and very pleasant memories as well of this conference.