Growing Rice by Ourselves: Without growing the staple food, I could not get a feeling of production. "So, growing rice it is!" Water is essential for growing rice. And it requires help and support from the locals. "If it’s Kato-kun, we can lend this rice field." Without their trust, growing rice is not possible. Growing rice is a status. next

Because the rice field was not in use for 10 years people said, "It is impossible to grow rice in such a place." However, it was possible and we are growing rice there. Then the locals say, "Kato-kun, you are good! Well done." The locals recognized me, I was very happy. In that sense, growing rice is special. The locals place much value on it since rice is the staple food in Japan.

I noticed that the conventional way to grow rice is very good. In the beginning, I was hesitant to use machines. But once I tried, I found out the reasons and was quite surprised I now understand the wisdom of our predecessors. next

Compared to me, old men know so much about nature. I didn’t know what to ask them. Now I want to know a lot of things and I know what to ask for. Old men give me answers with pleasure and I get knowledge. This process creates new relationships. It is so exciting.

There is only one point where I don’t follow the rule. That is not to use agrochemicals. Agrochemicals are used to prevent rice blast. It is related to the quality of water, etc. and causes dead leaf when the humidity is high. next

I decided not to use agrochemical, even though there is a local rule for spreading it on certain days. I was relieved when the old men told me "You don’t have to, if you don’t want to." It could have been difficult if I was in an area where I have no choice. Instead of using agrochemical, I maximized the distance between roots for ventilation when planting the rice. As a result, there was a little damage but not much spreading.

Organic is very important to me. My aim is to have a stable and healthy harvest with my own device, even if the harvest is small. next

I started using ducks in 2010. They move around the rice field gobbling-up the water striders. I was concerned it might damage the ecological system, but the water striders survived. It seems that the ecological system is not that superficial. It has ability to survive a little punishment.

It takes time for weed and algae to become nutrient for rice. But ducks can provide their nutritious droppings in few days. They gather source of fertilizer from here and there and give it to rice, as though they are the fertilizer collectors.

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Growing Vegetables in the Cycle of Nature

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