Back Dr. T. Erasmus
Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Mr. Chairman, Professor Higa, distinguished participants of the Sixth International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming,
I am very pleased to be here today to welcome you all, from over 35 countries of this world to South Africa and to our University. I was told that there are about 180 participants from these countries, and thus, it is a very rare and pleasant occasion for us at the University. This is because, this University, famous for its academic standards has the pleasure of welcoming you to its convention center.
I am aware that this conference has been in the pipeline for about one year, when plans were made initially by a member of staff of this University. The venue was selected due to this connection. Although changes took place, the organizers maintained this venue, and hence you all are here at a time, when the Jacarandas are in bloom to welcome you all. This is indeed a pleasant occasion.
The conference is about nature farming and a technology that supports this
valuable concept. Nature farming, as I know, is producing food in harmony
with nature. This is what the world is seeking today, when all resources
around us are depleting rapidly, along with the pollution of the environment.
Hence, I am sure that the concepts that you will be discussing will be
of immense benefit to the country, the continent and the world. I learnt
of the technology of Effective Microorganisms when I met Professor Dr.
Teruo Higa a few months ago. I also read his book and he explained the
concept of using microbes from each country to produce the technology.
This is also a good sign as there will be no imports of microbes from Japan
or any other location, thereby alleviating any fears of quarantine or contamination.
I am told that the technology is simple, cheap and accessible by all. It
is also said to be versatile in that it could be used for crops, animals
and environmental management. Hence, I believe that technologies of this
nature have a real role in the world today.
The whole concept of nature farming is something
that we all know and do want, if it can provide the required food for
increasing populations. This is because this method of farming would preserve
the environment, especially in fragile ecosystems as those found in Africa. The
technology of Effective Microorganisms is said to enhance the utility value of
nature farming. This I believe is happening in all continents, and I am sure that
it would be presented and discussed during this conference. This is indeed a
good sign that new technologies, having a significant potential are being
discussed debated and hopefully refined for future use.
On behalf of the University of Pretoria, I once again
welcome you all. While thanking you all for selecting this excellent venue at
the University of Pretoria, I do wish you all a very successful conference and
a wonderful stay in Pretoria and South Africa.
I do wish you all well.
Thank you.