Back Rev. S. Shinoda
Chairman, Board of Directors, International Nature Farming Research Center, Atami, Japan
Professor Dr. Erasmus the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Pretoria, Professor Dr. Teruo Higa, Professor Dr. N Casey, distinguished guests, participants of the Sixth International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming,
It is indeed a pleasure for me, as the Head of the sponsoring organization
of this conference, the International Nature Farming Research Center, to
be here today and address you. The International Conferences on Kyusei
Nature Farming were initiated by our organization for two principal purposes.
The first is to spread the word of this system of nature farming advocated
by Mokichi Okada, a very erudite philosopher in Japan in the 1930's. to
the entire world, based on scientific studies, country experiences and
case studies. The second was to inform the existence of a very useful and
versatile technology, namely that of Effective Microorganisms developed
by Professor Dr. Teruo Higa in Okinawa, Japan, which was combined with
Kyusei Nature Farming in the early 1980's.
The principal reason for informing the world of these systems of farming was based on the five goals of Kyusei Nature Farming. These, as advocated by Mokichi Okada are -
A careful study of these five principles foretold in the 1930s would show every one us that the current world today is striving to achieve these. This is 60 years after it was stated!! The reports of all world food programs would confirm that their goals are the same. Hence, our organization, which through our research unit in Japan had experimented with the technology and system of farming, undertook to inform the world by these conferences and also by supporting a network in Asia, the Asia Pacific Natural Agriculture Network (APNAN) to coordinate activities related to Kyusei Nature Farming and EM Technology.
Today we are beginning the Sixth conference in this beautiful country, in a very important part of the world, Africa. The earlier conference were held in all other continents, except Oceanea. This will also be achieved the next time, in 2001.
I am aware that there are over 37 countries participating in this forum today. This brings us great satisfaction. These conferences, which started with 13 countries, have progressively moved upwards to 37 over a period of 10 years. This is nearly a 300% increase, which shows us that a major of objective of our organization is being achieved, where scientists, administrators and practitioners of agriculture in many parts of the world are aware of Kyusei Nature Farming and EM technology. I do know that there are at least 60 countries of the world using Effective Microorganisms. This is an integrated part of Kyusei Nature Farming. A representation of over 50% of these here today is indeed significant.
Kyusei Nature Farming is one that can easily be adopted by all people. The inclusion of the technology of Effective Microorganisms has enhanced its value, not only for agriculture but also to achieve an important objective of our system, which is to preserve the environment.
I will not preach on this topic at this present time, as it would remove the essence of very interesting presentations and field trips that have been organized by a diligent group of people. However, I must stress that Kyusei Nature Farming, along with the technology of Effective Microorganisms is moving forwards in all continents of the world, as humankind seeks to solve their problems that are developing due to their own activity. Safety and health and the principal concerns at the present time, and I assure you that the methods of farming and environmental management that we promote will certainly help make this earth a better place.
On behalf of our organization, which is sponsoring this event, I am pleased that we have hosted this conference in this city, blooming with Jacaranda flowers at the present time. I am sure that an interesting program has been developed over four days, including an entire field day at a farm where you would see the benefits of EM in use in a multitude of aspects.
I welcome you all to this conference. It gives me great pleasure to note that your participation in this large numbers is an endorsement of our objective. Enjoy the conference discuss, debate, even argue and be aware and possibly be convinced that the system of farming and environmental management preached by Mokichi Okada in the 1930's and the technology of Effective Microorganisms developed by Professor Dr. Higa is a very appropriate technology for you and all living beings on this earth.
I wish you all a very happy, productive, educative and enjoyable conference.
Thank you.