Kazuichi Kawachi (Kawachi Ai Farm)

Producer: Kazuichi Kawachi Production area: Mifune-cho, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture Main products: Rice, garlic, green kiwi, Iyokan orange, seven herbs, etc. Use of pesticides: None Use of fertilizers: None

"Kumamoto's natural farming is based on riverbeds"

Kazuichi Kawachi is engaged in natural farming in this land where clear streams flow from the Yoshimuta water source in Mifune Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. It is often said that "Kawachi is the key to natural farming in Kumamoto," and he ships a constant supply of naturally grown vegetables to Purely all year round.

"The fields of Mifune are blessed with the power of the soil," says Kawachi. The fields that have been protected and passed down for generations produce rice, as well as radishes, turnips, green onions, carrots, spinach, leaf lettuce, kiwi fruit, grapes, persimmons, and more. The list goes on and on.

In Kyushu, from March to early May, when the days get warmer, the crops in the fields begin to flower, and during this period, a season known as the "off-season" arrives, when there are fewer types of vegetables available. However, Kawachi wants his customers to eat organically grown vegetables, so he continues to grow some unusual vegetables during this period, such as leaf onions, leaf garlic, Japanese cucumber, molokheiya, and Mizuzenji mustard greens.

Kawachi has been working without pesticides for over 37 years, and has been practicing natural farming since 2004. He is also actively involved in revitalizing the Mifune town area, and for the local festival held every summer, Kawachi has been at the center of the creation of a 4m long dinosaur nebuta. As of last year, he has created a total of three nebuta. They are in high demand in many areas, and are displayed at various facilities around the prefecture before and after the festival.

Furthermore, she has also created a picture book called "Grrr!" based on the dinosaur, and has done everything from illustrations to text, making her debut as a picture book author! "Writing a picture book has always been my dream. But I had forgotten about that dream for a while. If I make it into a picture book, everyone can see it. Even after I'm gone, the picture book will remain. I hope everyone will read it." The picture book and vegetables reflect Kawachi's thoughts. Please enjoy them.

Interview with Kazukazu Kawachi