Back Hidehiko Okubo
International Nature Farming Research Center, Atami, Japan
Mr.
Chairman, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On
behalf of the organizing committee, it is indeed my pleasure to make a few
closing remarks at the opening ceremony of this Fifth International Conference
on Kyusei Nature Farming, as a member of the staff of the major sponsor of this
event, the International Kyusei Nature Farming Research Center of Atami, Japan.
The
foundation for the Fifth International Conference was laid in France in 1995 -
at the Fourth International Conference. The venue was to be China. The progress
of arranging this conference was slow - in the first 16 months and with the
stationing of our staff in Beijing, things got moving. Visits were made by us
to Beijing and the building of the conference was almost complete. The planning
of the program was always a process of discussion, negotiation and consensus
and we were confident of a very good conference in Beijing.
In
Japan we are experienced in weathering natural disasters - such as earthquakes
and typhoons. However, life has to go on, with greater strength and courage -
to overcome these setbacks. One gets experience and determination by these
calamities.
A similar disaster struck the planning of the Fifth International Conference,
that was being completed by a dedicated team of small staff. It happened
just two weeks ago to date. This was totally unexpected, just like an earthquake
or a sudden typhoon. Although the staff were devastated for just one day,
a small ray of sunshine was seen thought the debris and mayhem.
The ray of sunshine developed within two days into a bright light - and
today we see the result - again due to the diligence of a team of staff
working overtime like a hive of bees. The conference venue was changed,
programs reassigned and all of the work completed to begin the conference
as scheduled.
On
behalf of all of us at the International Nature Farming Research Center, it is
indeed with humility that I thank all those who made this event a possibility.
However, I would fail in my duty if I do not express my deepest gratitude to
three organizations, that work, very closely with us -
The Sekai Kyusei Kyo of Thailand and Kyusei Nature Farming Center
of Thailand, led by the dynamic President, Rev. Kazuo Wakugami, along with Rev.
Daiho Kasahara who did all they could to hold this conference and to our staff
at the Asia Pacific Natural Agriculture Network, led by the Takashi Kyan, who
did the spade work.
On behalf of the President and members of the Board of Directors of the
International Nature Farming Research Center at Atami, I do express our
deepest thanks to Professor Teruo Higa for his guidance in preparing this
conference and to all those who are associated with it. We also express
our deepest thanks to Mrs. Puengpit Dulyapach, the Director, Agricultural
Administrative Development Division of the Ministry of Agriculture for
being here with us as a guest of honour. Although the invitation was extended
to her at the last moment to grace this occasion, she obliged amidst her
busy schedule. We all know of her interest in EM and nature farming - which
makes her presence very important to us. Thank you Madam Director for your
interest and support.
We also express our thanks to all of you here today, for changing flight
schedules and coming to be with us. This is indeed an encouragement to
see that important persons from over 25 countries are interested in the
technology offered - to make this world a better place for humankind. Your
participation is the culmination of the conference, and we thank you. We
also appreciate the support extended by the International Federation of
Organic Agriculture Movements, led by our dear friend, Mr. Herve la Prairie
and to EM Research Organization, who are associated with this conference.
Kyusei Nature Farming is a method that is fast gaining popularity as it
has a very scientific base. The papers that will be presented at this conference
will bear testimony to this fact
Thank you very much - all of you who made this conference a
success in spite of the small setback. While we do miss our friends from China,
we do offer our continued support to them in using EM and adopting Kyusei
Nature Farming - as this methodology is a holistic approach to make this world
a better place for humankind.
Do enjoy the conference, please contribute actively to make it a
success and most importantly, please adopt the technology that is being
presented at this conference. It will certainly protect our planet for the
future generations.