Back Rev. Setsunori Shinoda
Chairman, Board of Directors, International Nature Farming Research Center, Atami, Japan
(Presented by Dr.T. Kawashima, Senior Managing Director, INFRC)
Minasama Konnichiwa, Yokoso, Kia Ora, Welcome.
Sir Peter Elworthy, Right Honorable Jim Anderton, the Deputy Prime Minister
of New Zealand, Professor Teruo Higa, Mr. Segar Mason, the Chief Executive
Officer, Bio-Gro, New Zealand, Dr.Xu of the INFRC, Mr. T Chamberlain, Ladies
and Gentlemen,
I present this speech on behalf of Rev. Setsunori Shinoda, Chairman of
the Board of Directors, International Nature Farming Research Center, who
unexpectedly was unable to attend this conference due to the pressure of
work in Japan. It is with significant happiness that I am here today, as
the Senior Managing Director of the sponsoring organization, the International
Nature Farming Research Center of Japan, which is responsible for developing
and spreading the concepts of Kyusei Nature Farming, or nature farming,
as it is called today in Japan. Many of you here today know what Kyusei
Nature Farming is, and also the technology of Effective Microorganisms,
which is identified as a part of this system of agriculture and developed
by Professor Higa. However, this is the first occasion that a person responsible
for spreading this method of farming is speaking about it in New Zealand.
The concept of this system of nature farming was advocated by Mokichi Okada,
an eminent Japanese philosopher and educationist, who realized the dangers
of chemical agriculture in the 1930s, which was a time when chemicals were
not used abundantly. The fundamental concepts of Kyusei Nature Farming
are as follows:
Analysis of these principles show that they are valid even today and most
farming systems are attempting to achieve these five objectives.
Looking at agriculture and the environments of the world highlights a significant
challenge to humankind. This is to find a way to lead a rich-fulfilling
life without destroying the biosphere, which supports all life. It is often
stated that humanity has never before faced such a threat, the collapse
of the elements and biodiversity that keep humans alive. Many examples
can be cited to highlight this aspect, but I wish to quote a few to illustrate
this phenomenon. Between 1804 and 1905, there were over 7000 varieties
of apples in the USA. Today 86% of these are extinct. In vegetables, the
picture is even grimmer. In Asia, over 100,000 varieties of rice were cultivated,
but today, there are only 10 of these in popular use. Humankind is fast
losing valuable medicinal plants. This shows that we are fast losing the
biodiversity. Under such circumstances, how long can a growing human population
feed itself?
Several solutions are being developed to overcome this disaster, amongst
which the establishment of seed banks takes prominence. However, this alone
is not sufficient, as we must look towards methods of farming that will
preserve the environment and also biodiversity. Here lies the importance
of Kyusei Nature Farming. If one studies the objectives of Kyusei Nature
Farming listed above, it is easily understood that the method advocated
in the 1930fs by Mokichi Okada endeavors to produce good quality food
while preserving the ecological balance. However, one may ask - Can we
have these old techniques with the growing demand for food? I wish to confirm
that it is possible, as shown by many studies from all over the world,
including Japan, where it was first developed. The successes will be highlighted
at this conference too. Kyusei Nature Farming advocates cultivation of
soils, which could have an adverse impact on the detritus food chain, which
is a vital component in agriculture and waste management. It is in this
context that the technology of Effective Microorganisms (EM), developed
by Professor Dr.Teruo Higa plays a distinct role. Kyusei Nature Farming
thus stands well above all other methods of nature or organic or nature
farming, due to the use of EM, as shown by many comparative studies in
all parts of the world and also in this beautiful country. The results
overwhelmingly support the concept that we advocate that Kyusei Nature
Farming is a superior method of farming that produces abundant food while
preserving the environment.
The International Nature farming Research Center, which I head, decided
to support the international conferences to spread this message to the
world, on an idea made byProfessor Dr. Higa in the 1980s. It was felt that
this is a noble task, to inform the world of a philosophy and a method
of farming developed in Japan that would help humankind. The conferences
were held in all continents except Oceania, and today, this objective has
also borne fruit. Hence this 7th International Conference will be the last
of these major conferences supported by our organization. However, progress
and demand will decide the future activities.
It is opportune at this juncture to briefly state the work of our organization,
the International Nature Farming Research Center. This organization, which
is supported by the Sekai Kyusei Kyo Izunome Kyodan of Japan, has the mandate
to spread the word of Kyusei Nature Farming to the world. Thus it has research,
extension and international activities. We are a long-standing member of
the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM).
This exhibits our interest in international activities. Our research has
been cited internationally, including that of the Commonwealth Agricultural
Bureau of England. Very recently it also obtained the mandate from the
Ministry of Agriculture to certify organic products in Japan. Hence, our
organization has an active role in the agricultural sector of Japan, in
conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture to promote a successful method
of farming while preserving the environment.
Most advances in agriculture have truly been double-edged swords. These
have done well, but they have also demonstrated the lack of wisdom and
also the greed of humankind. A clear example is the green revolution, where
significant quantities of food were produced in the developing world, which
in turn destroyed the environment. The use of biotechnology is yet to show
its true colors, although much research is being carried out. Will it show
the same or worse results as the green revolution? Time will tell us the
results. However, amongst all these developments, we must keep our heads
high and be realistic. We must not forget nature and its inherent power
to strike back if we go against its principles. Studying and exploring
the principles of nature is one aspect, but trying to alter them through
research and development is another. This is why our organization advocates
a system of agriculture and environmental management that looks after the
seen and unseen sections of agro-ecosystems, through nature farming and
EM technology. We feel that it is a realistic system that has a distinct
role in the life of humankind.
Distinguished guests, participants of this International Conference on
Kyusei Nature Farming, it is with happiness that I welcome you all, on
behalf of the sponsoring organization. I am glad that over 30 countries
are represented here today to share their experiences with the New Zealanders,
and also learn from them. I have been told that the organizers have developed
a very interesting program, and I do welcome you to actively participate
in the activities. The participation of over 200 people is a true sign
of the interest and endorsement of our objective, Please be assured that
Kyusei Nature Farming along with the technology of EM, which uses natural
microbes, is a promising method of farming for humankind. Thus, please
do take an active part in this conference and more importantly, learn the
benefits and adopt the technologies discussed and shown even in a small
way in your respective ecosystems. This small seed, planted in your minds
and activities in this beautiful city of Christchurch, in this wonderful
land of Aoteroa will play a significant role to develop a sustainable and
a better environment for us all and our future generations.
Thank you.