Back Professor Dr. Teruo Higa
Department of Horticulture, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
Sir Peter Elworthy, Right Honorable Jim Anderton, the Deputy Prime Minister
of New Zealand, Dr.T Kawashima, Senior Managing Director, International
Nature Farming Research Center, Atami, Japan, Ms.Liz Clay, World Board
Member of the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements,
Mr.Segar Mason, the Chief Executive Officer, Bio-Gro, New Zealand, Dr.H
L Xu, Mr. T Chamberlain, Distinguished Scientists, Dear Friends from all
over the world,
We begin this 7th International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming in
this beautiful hall of the Christchurch Polytechnic, in the presence of
a distinguished gathering. This includes the Deputy Prime Minister of our
host nation, New Zealand, some of its distinguished citizens, many eminent
people from all over the world and especially our dear friends, who have
attended many of our international conferences on Kyusei Nature Farming,
held in all continents of this world. It is with humility and pleasure
that I welcome you to this conference, as the person who developed the
technology of Effective Microorganisms (EM) in the 1970fs, which at present
forms an integral part of Kyusei Nature Farming.
Looking back over the years, one feels nostalgic, as it was I who proposed
to the sponsors of this conference, the International Nature Farming Research
Center (INFRC), Atami, Japan, to hold these series of conferences in every
continent. This suggestion made in the late 1980s was based on the success
and interest that was being developed when the technology of EM was presented
at international fora, especially that of the IFOAM Conferences. Hence
the International Conferences on Kyusei Nature Farming moved from Thailand
to Brazil, America, France, Thailand and South Africa. Today, we begin
the 7th Conference in this region, thus encompassing all continents and
realizing the original objective.
The first International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming held in Thailand
in 1989, was also a landmark in sustainable agriculture and environmental
development. This is due to the establishment of a small network in Thailand,
the Asia Pacific Natural Agriculture Network. This little network, sponsored
initially by the sponsors of this conference, INFRC, and subsequently by
the Sekai Kyusei Kyo of Thailand and the EM Research Organization of Okinawa,
spearheaded the promotion of this technology all over the world. It is
indeed amazing that this network, which began with 13 countries, developed
to encompass over 24 countries in the Asia Pacific region and also established
contacts in over 60 nations all over the globe. The leadership given by
the network in organizing the International Conferences on Kyusei Nature
Farming was also of significance, as the message of Kyusei Nature Farming
was spread across the globe in a matter of 12 years.
The theme of this conference is Kyusei Nature Farming for the 21st Century. This is indeed appropriate at the present time, as the world
faces significant dangers. Today, humankind is struggling to preserve the
environment, while producing sufficient food. This is a battle that is
being fought in many fronts. However, we have long known that in New Zealand,
most arable farming systems are sustainable, principally due to the limited
use of agrochemicals. This country is blessed with a good soil and a climate,
which are key components for successful sustainable agriculture. However,
recent trends indicate a growing demand for organic systems even in New
Zealand. This does not mean that all agriculture needs to be organic. There
is a growing niche for organic products both locally and for export and
farmers and entrepreneurs have developed organic systems. Kyusei Nature
Farming and EM offers all these enterprising people significant scope for
improving their farming systems, by enhancing the productivity of the microbial
activity with organisms from the country itself. The use of EM increases
productivity in a holistic manner, as seen in several instances in New
Zealand and in over 75 countries globally, The successes and scientific
evidence of this will be presented at the conference over the next three
days, while the field visits will exemplify it in a practical manner. This
is primarily based on the enrichment of the microbial life of the ecosystems,
by the use of EM, which is made from photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid
bacteria and yeasts in an acidic medium containing raw sugar. These microbes,
selected from the locations of utilization provide a more conducive environment
for crops and also animals. This is the principle of activity of EM within
the scope of Kyusei Nature Farming.
Agriculture produces food and this in turn produces organic wastes, which
are also a problem for humankind. Kyusei Nature Farming and EM offer scope
to overcome this problem. The use of EM enhances microbial activity of
the wastes, thus producing good composts for use as organic manures within
a very short period of time. This phenomenon is well researched and proven,
and many countries use this system to produce fertilizers from organic
wastes for cropping. Animal wastes are also turned into manures, while
EM controls odor problems. These aspects will also be evident to you all
on the basis of scientific studies, practical experiences and also by demonstrations
during the field visit. These features will highlight that Kyusei Nature
Farming, which was advocated in the 1930fs and the technology of Effective
Microorganisms offers much scope for New Zealand, the Pacific region and
the whole world to maintain and also increase agricultural production and
environmental preservation.
The technology of EM has not remained dormant. Many new developments have taken place in this technology, which will be presented later today, in the keynote address. However, it is appropriate to mention that antioxidants, which have been identified as key ingredients for good health have been isolated from EM. Derivatives of EM are used in disinfection and sanitation of urban utilities. The technology has a wide scope, and hence Kyusei Nature Farming and the technology of EM hold significant promise for the future generations of humankind. It is a technology for the 21st century.
Distinguished guests, dear friends, it is my privilege and pleasure to
welcome you all to this conference, which has the Deputy Prime Minister
of this beautiful country as the Guest of Honor. As the Chairman of this
conference, I thank you for being with us, amidst a very busy schedule.
However, it is an honor to us, and we hope that you sir, will support the
use of the technologies presented at this conference and currently used
in New Zealand on a limited scale at present, to maintain the pristine
beauty of New Zealand, enhance its agriculture and overcome problems of
waste management. This will enable the development of Kyusei Nature Farming
and the technology of Effective Microorganisms in New Zealand and the Pacific
region. This is the principal objective of this conference.
Thus, it is with happiness and hope that I invite all our guests and friends
to enjoy the four days. Please listen, take notes, discuss, debate and
even argue on the merits and demerits of what is being presented to you
on a scientific basis and also with practical experiences, which are keys
to successful adoption of any technology. I am sure that you will be educated
in the process and return to your own countries or regions of New Zealand
with new experiences on Kyusei Nature Farming and EM technology.
Please enjoy the conference. I wish you a happy, educative and memorable
conference, which will present new strategies and developments to make
your lives and that of the future generations happy, healthy and productive.
Thank you.