”… Yesterday, I was speaking to a professor who has worked in the field of soil health at the Firenze Faculty of Agriculture.
He stated that the soil structure in Italy is clay and the climate is very different from that of Japan. He said that the natural farming that I have implemented in my own farm can only be applied in certain and limited areas. He said that the philosophy of natural farming could be accepted by the whole world, but it would not be possible to apply it equally.
Nature is the same everywhere. Again, naturally, the vegetation of Italy and Japan’s vegetation will be different. Natural farming practices in Japan will be different from natural farming practices in Italy. There may even be more than one application route for the same climate.
When the soil structure is clay, it warms up quickly, dries and crumbles into pieces. This is where disappointment begins for farmers. Then a big problem arises; scientists who want to change the soil structure.
… In Japanese, the word ‘to work’ can be said in 2 different ways.
Lodo: used to meet meanings such as working hard, spending time, plowing the soil.
Shiguto: To devote yourself to your work with all respect, to gift your presence …
The second word corresponds to the free donation made to the nature and the natural farmer. It is enough to offer nature free of charge, it will give us everything we need without any effort and strength.
… When we say serving the soil today, most people think of manuring, preparing compost or grazing animals in the garden. Obviously these are not necessary or correct.”
1981- Masanobu Fukuoka
Italy
