Kazuhiro Matsumoto (Matsumoto Farm)

Producer: Kazuhiro Matsumoto Production area: Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture Main products: Rice, potatoes, etc. Use of pesticides: None Use of fertilizers: None

In vegetable growing

When it comes to vegetable cultivation, there are varieties that are considered easy to grow and others that are considered difficult.

It is generally said that root crops are relatively easy to grow.

On the other hand, crops that are considered difficult to grow are leafy vegetables such as cabbage, Chinese cabbage, and lettuce. There are other crops that are considered difficult to grow, though.

It is difficult to say which crops are easy to grow and which are difficult, but with conventional cultivation, crops grow without difficulty because of the application of fertilizers and pesticides.

You might be thinking, "If I plant potatoes in that environment, will they bear fruit?"

However, when it comes to natural cultivation, this isn't the case.

Naturally grown potatoes

The less mature the soil is, the more likely it is that the product will be rough and cracked.

The quality of the crop will decrease, and of course the yield will also decrease.

To put it simply, in potato cultivation, the general practice is to grow potatoes in the following way:

Spring potatoes are about 3 tons and autumn potatoes are about 1 ton, or about 500 kg.

If we switch to natural cultivation, the yield per 10a (100m) will likely be less than half that of conventional cultivation, although this depends on the condition of the soil and the soil preparation schedule.

Of course, the yield and quality will vary depending on the quality of the soil and the residual fertilizer that has been applied in the past.

It may be natural to interpret this as meaning that the yield is low because it is grown naturally, and that the quality is inevitably lower.

But in the end, that reasoning is just an excuse.

The phrase "natural cultivation" itself is an excuse to plant crops in immature soil, which will also end up immature. Such crops are then harvested, shipped, and delivered to customers. I think this is the reality.

The crossroads of natural cultivation

As a producer, I know that my words may seem extremely rude to our customers.

However, I think there are some major differences of opinion regarding the above content.

A new journey begins when we switch to natural cultivation, and the soil has been treated with fertilizers, pesticides, soil conditioners, etc. up until now, and this is where we cross paths.

What this means is that there are two options: "switch to natural farming and continue to grow crops in the same way," or "improve the soil to turn it into healthy soil that has become permeated with fertilizers and pesticides that have been applied in the past with the thought that they are good."

In the former case, the crop will grow at first, but the yield and quality will decline year by year.

In the latter case, we review the soil itself and create healthy soil according to its conditions.

This is where the big difference comes in. In the former case, the crop itself will not be harvested after all.

The latter prepares the soil well so that subsequent crops can grow well.

Here again, the former involves cultivating crops and thus being able to sell them for cash, but the latter involves preparing the soil, so there is no harvest and therefore no way to sell them for cash.

For example, when it comes to soil preparation, a group of producers in Miyazaki, led by Mr. Kawagoe, do not start growing crops from the beginning, but instead prepare the soil for three years and then start growing crops while checking the condition of the soil.

It's about clearing the past. You could also say it's about destroying the past and building something new.

Natural cultivation starting from soil preparation

Crops that are easy to grow or difficult to grow?

The one thing that can be said about all of this is the earth itself.

"I can't do it" is just an excuse, so we have to prepare the ground for it. It may take years or decades, but...

It makes me think that soil making has a very deep meaning, a drama, and can even be said to be life itself.

What is natural or unnatural in relation to possible events? I would like to continue playing with soil while keeping such questions in mind.

There are farmers all over the country who are working hard to improve their soil. They are going through many different dramas.

We look forward to your continued support.

Kazuhiro Matsumoto

Interview with Kazuhiro Matsumoto

The opportunity to start natural farming

Reasons for continuing natural farming and rewards

About home seed collection

Extra Edition (About Child Rearing)