Ecological Farming Project Yields Results in Shiga Prefecture

An ecological farming project promoted by the government of Shiga Prefecture since 2004 has achieved a significant reduction in the environmental impacts of agriculture, according to an interim report released on June 29, 2006. A study by the prefecture found that the outflows of nitrogen, muddy water and agricultural chemicals, which are responsible for eutrophication in Lake Biwa, were significantly reduced in rice paddies that used smaller amounts of agricultural chemicals and chemical fertilizers. The improvements in fertilizer application and water management were proven to be effective, the report says.

The purpose of the ecological farming project is to promote the healthy development of the agricultural sector in Shiga Prefecture and minimize environmental impacts on Lake Biwa and its surroundings. To this end, farmers are encouraged to reduce the use of agricultural chemicals and chemical fertilizers by 50 percent or more compared to conventional farming, as well as to prevent muddy water from flowing into rivers and the lake. Since the project is to be reviewed in the third year, the prefectural government conducted the environmental survey in Azuchi Town by measuring the amounts of specific substances which flowed into and out of rice paddies. The study found that nitrogen, phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the eco-friendly paddy were lower by 48.4 percent, 13.8 percent and 29.9 percent, respectively, compared to a conventional paddy field.

The Yoshida Farming Cooperative is one of the organizations that received eco-farming certification under this prefectural program. The cooperative has been growing brewer's rice with reduced amounts of agricultural chemicals and chemical fertilizers since 2003. Using the rice and water in the area, a local brewery has been producing sake for local consumption since the spring of 2004.

Mr. Kanji Yagi, who is growing rice without agricultural chemicals at RDR Organic Farm in Taga Town, has also obtained the eco-farming certification. He succeeded in replacing agricultural chemicals with his original fertilizer made from blended herbal extracts. Noticing the antimicrobial and sterilizing properties of herbs, he started using this unique fertilizer in June 1995. His technique has been attracting attention in Japan and overseas.

http://www.pref.shiga.jp/english/index.html
- Shiga Prefecture Promoting Green Farming (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/978-e

Posted: 2006/10/06 12:50:10 PM
Japanese version