Akito Watanabe (Watanabe Farmer)

Producer: Akito Watanabe Production area: Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture Main products: Shiitake mushrooms grown on logs, dried shiitake mushrooms, sweet potatoes, etc. No agricultural chemicals used No fertilizer used

"People, Lifestyles, and Connections"

Kikuchi City is located in the northern part of Kumamoto Prefecture. We would like to introduce you to Akito Watanabe, who is engaged in agriculture in the Mizusako district, which is located in the center of the city and close to the border with Oita Prefecture.

Watanabe-san was born into a farming family that has been in business for 130 years, dating back to his great-great-grandfather.
It is close to the source of the Kikuchi River, and since it is located at a high altitude, crops that take advantage of the cool climate include tea and shiitake mushrooms, and although the area is small, rice and field crops are also grown.

After graduating from high school, he went on to study at an agricultural university in his hometown of Kumamoto.
He then returned to his parents' home and took over the farm.
Although the farm is not large, it does not bear the same risks as large-scale farms, and so Watanabe's parents and his wife are able to run the family farm.

When I was young, I was interested in how to increase profits and productivity in agriculture, and I even worked on growing wheat for shipment.
They don't grow crops to eat, but only to earn money, and despite the effort and care they put into them, the harvest is often poor due to bad weather, and the results are often contrary to their expectations.
Watanabe gradually came to think that agriculture is not just about pursuing productivity.

In addition to the current agricultural structure, the area where Watanabe lives is known as a "marginal village," with more than half of the local residents being over 65 years old.
It is urgent that farmers, as well as others, manage agricultural waterways and weeds along the roads to ensure that roads are clear.
The recent heavy rains have caused trees to fall, roads to be closed, and agricultural waterways to be blocked, so we don't know what will happen.
In such cases, recovery is necessary with the cooperation of local residents, but it is said that there is a high possibility that a situation will arise where nothing can be done because the residents are mostly elderly.
There are also medical issues.
Even if you don't need to see a doctor on a regular basis, if even one family member is absent, the burden of labor will increase dramatically and it may become difficult to continue farming.
Watanabe is currently considering a more compact agricultural management style.
Instead of constantly increasing productivity, the key is to thoroughly cut down on unnecessary effort and expenses.
The goal is to get to know the region inside and out, and to become "independent" as farmers.

The main crops Watanabe grows are tea and shiitake mushrooms.
This is the most widely grown agricultural product in Kumamoto's mountainous regions, but in recent years, the number of farmers growing it has been decreasing due to a decline in demand.
They own a 120-acre oak field, and the thinned wood from this tree is used to make "firewood" for growing shiitake mushrooms.
No pesticides are sprayed within the garden, and the trees are grown without the use of pesticides.
Watanabe's shiitake mushrooms, which are said to be full of flavor and produce a good stock, are shipped as fresh shiitake mushrooms during the cold season from December to April.
Spring is dry.

When the shiitake mushroom season ends, it's tea picking season, and when the tea season ends, it's time to plant rice.
In the summer, they manage the mountains, and in the fall and winter they do farm work, so farm work is tailored to the climate all year round.

The type of farming that Watanabe seeks is a way of life that combines work and life.
Watanabe has learned how to live as a farmer by living in a satoyama area.

Being aware of things in nature that can be applied to human life. Using wisdom in daily life, we aim to live a life without waste.

As a member of the Kikuchi Environmental Conservation Agricultural Technology Research Group, we expect him to continue making great strides.

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