Biodiversity: The Difference Us as One, that is An Aged Golden Wisdom & Fukuoka?

June, 21, 2024

My interest in organic products and how food can also determine our body state started when my mother became ill in 2018. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer. However, she did not survive and we learnt later on that there might be some mistakes in the medical diagnosis and procedures.

The food we eat can change our gut microbiota, how we think & feel, and, finally, our DNA (the foundation of how our body is shaped and functions). We become what we choose to put inside our body (both what we eat as body or mind feeds). Especially the mind has a significant role in our body state and being.

I’m actively involved in an organisation promoting holistic green health for both body and mind. We were encouraged to plant our food; this is when I learned more that mere organic is not enough. A sustainable life culture is desperately needed as well.

Then I came across a book by Masanobu Fukuoka called the “One-Straw Revolution” that stated the ironic reality of modern farming technology against nature. The fact, against all odd, that the real natural farming is actually very easy. The more we (humans) do nothing, the better the condition of nature. He found this after long, tiring, and elaborate efforts to find the method of growing the best rice against the unsupportive aspects. Only to accidentally see, on his way home from work, one straw of a healthy rice plant growing on a nearby abandoned land with a very thick wall of straw. A very profitable feature against rice natural pest. Thus, he concludes that the fewer people do something, the better the environmental condition.

From this point of view, the tricky part may be to sustain the bio-diverse condition of the environment, which is not suppose to be a problem. Unless, we put “efforts” into adding peptides, and other artificial preconditions, or decide to take more than we should, wanting to have something that isn’t naturally supported. The diverse bacteria-rich ground, beneficial insects’ availability, the compatible complementary plants, etc. This is the ideal gold of sustainable organic farming. Along with that is to accept the seasons and nature as it is. As we had already, ignorantly, disrupted one part or more of the component-complex connection in the past, we can easily predict that this too will get to us subsequently.

Masanobu Fukuoka’s book “The One-Straw Revolution” presents a profound and transformative approach to agriculture that challenges conventional practices. The book, first published in 1975, introduces the concept of “do-nothing” farming, where nature is allowed to take its course without human interference. Fukuoka advocates for a return to simplicity and harmony with nature, rejecting the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery. The core principles of Fukuoka’s natural farming method include:

• Nature has its own wisdom: Mimicking nature’s principles can lead to sustainable and harmonious farming practices.
• Simplicity is key: Unnecessary interventions like tillage and pesticides disrupt natural ecosystems and create more problems.
• Do-nothing farming: By embracing the concept of “do-nothing farming,” farmers can achieve higher yields, less labour, and a more balanced relationship with the land.

Fukuoka’s approach is characterized by:

• No-till method: Allowing the soil to remain undisturbed, with a layer of straw covering the surface, fosters biodiversity and promotes soil health.
• Sowing seeds of diversity: Mixed cropping and coexistence of various plant species maintain nature’s balance and reduce the need for chemical inputs and pest control.
• Respect for life: Nurturing a deep reverence for all living beings, not just crops, is essential for sustainable agriculture.

Masanobu Fukuoka’s ideals of planting are suitable for a vast land that is capable of supporting a very varied species. In case of agroforestry, we usually need about a hundred or more suitable species a least living naturally coherent in the environment. If we want to put his ideals into smaller land, permaculture farming is a more suitable method. This method next was also developed by one of Fukuoka’s students. Anyhow, regardless of the size of the farming or gardening landscape, one of the techniques required is to have a dialogue with the plants and the environment we are involved in as farmers or gardeners. To become quiet and listen to nature, as so they said. The practitioners avouch that the problems they faced become easier to understand and solve. I agree that planting in Fukuoka’s ideals is respect for life. That nurturing a deep reverence for all living beings, not just crops, is essential for sustainable agriculture.

The book has had a significant impact on the sustainable agriculture movement, inspiring many farmers and environmentalists to rethink their approach to farming and adopt regenerative practices. Fukuoka’s timeless wisdom continues to resonate in discussions about addressing climate change, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss, offering a path towards a more sustainable and harmonious world

Amusingly, many traditional ethnic groups, such as Ammatoa, Dayak, and Badui, in Indonesia, have the same indigenous principal wisdom. They live according to their ancestor’ wisdom that was still being kept generation after generation: to protect and honour the nature as their fellow beings. They have their local traditional calendar for planting in the right season. They regard the forest as a sacred place, in such a way, refrain from doing too much intervention toward its environment and take only what they need. Ammatoa, particularly regard the earth as their mother, hence use no footwear to avoid being disconnected from it. They have a rule that the earth should not be hurt by digging or drilling. Ammatoa live solely by their forest support, use no technology, and weave their natural fabric for clothing. Until now the spring that has been streaming down for hundred years to their village from the forest has never stopped and kept trusty flushing pure clean water. I hope we can all learn from them.

Here are some links, books, keywords, or article recommendations for more interesting readings regarding the topic I wrote:

1. https://archive.org/details/TheOne-strawRevolution
2. “Enzyme Therapy” Book by Prof. Dr. Hiromi Shinya
3. “One Meal a Day” Book by Prof. Dr. Yoshinori Nagumo
4. Personalized Nutrition Based on Gut Microbiome Algorithm by Prof. Dr. Eran Segal
5. https://kissthegroundmovie.com/
6. Forest Agro or Agroforestry
7. Permaculture
8. Integrated Farming Systems
9. How to Make A Good Compost