Back

State of the Art of Kyusei Nature Farming

H. Meyer and T. C. Mendoza

Nature Farming Research and Development Foundation, Lompoc, California, USA and
University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Philippines

Kyusei Nature Farming is the farming method which was first advocated by Mokichi Okada of Japan in 1935, based on his belief that “the world can be transformed into a paradise by eradicating disease, poverty, and conflict.”

The following requirements, which are not seen in conventional farming methods, are imposed on Kyusei Nature Farming:

1) It must produce superior food for the advancement of human health.
2) It must be economically and spiritually beneficial to both farmers and consumers.
3) It must be sustainable, and be easily practiced by anybody.
4) It must conform to nature and maintain the environment.
5) It must produce enough food for the increasing population of the world.

As in many other natural farming systems, Kyusei Nature Farming does not advocate the use of synthetic chemicals which can harm the environment. Kyusei Nature Farming differs from other natural farming methods in that it uses the technology of effective microorganisms (EM), developed by Teruo Higa of Japan, to enhance plant growth, health, and yield, and to maintain a natural balance in the environment. EM is a transitional tool to help build up the soil.

Because the technology for the production of EM is complex, the International Nature Farming Research Center of Japan will supply to Thailand and other interested individuals/countries free samples of EM and adequate technical assistance to ensure proper usage. The use of EM is an emerging technology. In order to determine whether it would be economically viable, socially acceptable, and regionally suitable to use EM on an international level, statistically valid experiments must be conducted by the national and regional universities on experiment stations and in on-farm situations. These experiments would determine:

1) The soil and environmental/regional conditions that may limit or enhance the effectiveness of EM.
2) The potential impact of EM on yield, income, and the environment.
3) The long-term impact of EM on the microbiology of the soil.
4) The costs of EM as a commercial product.
5) The length of time required to establish a stable population of EM in the soil.
6) How the effectiveness, availability and cost of EM will affect a farmer’s self-reliance.