Development of Kyusei Nature Farming and Use of Effective Microorganisms in Thailand

K. Wakugami

Sekai Kyusei Kyo Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand

I am very honored to be with you today to present this invited lecture on the development of Kyusei Nature Farming in my adopted country, the Royal Kingdom of Thailand, and how the technology of Effective Microorganisms (EM) has played such a significant role in this process. It is also noteworthy that the First International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming was held in Thailand in 1989. I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to the chairman and organizing committee of this Fourth International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming for their invitation for me to attend, This is my first visit to Europe and, thus, to this beautiful city of Paris which is known as the flower capital of the world.

Thailand is the first country outside of Japan where Kyusei Nature Farming was practiced. This method of farming avoids the use of synthetic agrichemicals and is based on the philosophy and teachings of Mokichi Okada (1882-1955) who advocated the principles of Kyusei Nature Farming, and who is the founder of Sekai Kyusei Kyo (i.e., the Church of World Messianity).

Our goal in Thailand has been to disseminate the method of Kyusei Nature Farming so that it can enhance the welfare and prosperity of the Thai people. In this effort we have been guided by Professor Teruo Higa, University of the Rynkyus, Okinawa, Japan who is the innovator of the concept and application of EM technology, which has become an important part of Kyusei Nature Farming.

Since 1989, Sekai Kyusei Kyo has assisted the Asia-Pacific Natural Agricultural Net-work (APNAN) in extending the method and principles of Kyusei Nature Farming and use of EM technology throughout the Asia-Pacific Region. Currently, I serve as a technical advisor to APNAN. Kyusei Nature Farming in Thailand is now being promoted by three organizations:

The Kyusei Nature Farming Central Training Center at Saraburi, Thailand,
The Association for Promoting Kyusei Nature Fanning in Thailand, and
The Teachers Association for Kyusei Nature Farming in Thailand.

Since establishing the Central Training Center at Saraburi, Thailand in 1988, some 26,000 people from all aspects of Thai society have attended more than 200 training courses (3 to 5 day duration) on Kyusei Nature Farming. The participants included members of the general public, farmers, government workers, small- and large-scale entrepreneurs, and members of the Thai military. The training programs focused on soil, crop and livestock husbandry, conducted by Professor Higa and his staff for researchers and technical personnel. The general and practical sessions are conducted by the staff and earlier trainees of the Saraburi Central Training Center.

I want to emphasize that more than 4,000 Thai school teachers have attended our training sessions. The primary objectives of their training is to learn the techniques and methods for a) preventing agricultural pollution and contamination, b) preserving and protecting the natural environment, c) enhancing food safety and quality, and d) ensuring high standards of human health and nutrition for their students and the Thai people. Today, the number of schools in Thailand that teach the Kyusei Nature Fanning method as part of their curriculum now exceeds 1000. The number of students who have received such training exceeds 100,000.

Most of those who have received technical training at the Saraburi Kyusei Nature Farming Center have found employment in different fields of agriculture including animal husbandry, crop and soil sciences, aquaculture, and environmental protection and restoration. The application of EM technology through trained personnel is exemplified by the Thai Ministry of Public Health. This agency is planning to conduct an environmental cleanup project throughout the Kingdom during the next two years using EM technology applied through their public health centers. Furthermore, the establishment of a Kyusei Nature Farming and EM Research Center is now being planned. This Center will conduct research on the practical applications of EM technology for a more sustainable agriculture and environment.

Some of you are aware that a new book authored by Professor Higa entitled "An Earth Saving Revolution" was recently published. The book describes how Effective Microorganisms and EM technology can resolve many of the agricultural, environmental and medical problems that mankind faces today worldwide. This book has become a best-seller in Japan with more than 500,000 copies sold thus far. The Thai translation of his book was recently published and the English translation should be available soon. Many readers have concluded that if what is described in this book is true, then Professor Higa should be awarded a Nobel Prize.

In Thailand, we have experienced firsthand, through actual practice, many of the beneficial effects of EM technology described in Professor Higa's book. These include:

Improved soil quality and productivity.
Increased growth, yield and quality of crops.
Improved animal health and production.
Control of insect pests and diseases.
Suppression of malodors from livestock operations.
Increased production from aquaculture farms.
Improved treatment of waste waters and effluents.

If you should visit the Kyusei Nature Farming Center at Saraburi, Thailand you would see examples of these beneficial effects of Kyusei Nature Farming and EM technology. Thus, I would like to invite all of you to visit our Center and farms when in Thailand. You are most welcome and we are ever willing to show you our results.

Finally, I wish to express my gratitude again for the opportunity to present this brief report of our activities on Kyusei Nature Farming and EM technology in Thailand.

Thank you very much.