The thick layer suppresses weeds and realizes labor-saving organic rice cultivation

Gifu Prefecture Yuuki Heart Net Former Chairman Katsumi Nakajima

At the time of interview 2011

Katsumi Nakajima, the former chairman of Yuuki Heart Net, the parent body of the Gifu Prefecture Shirakawa Town Organic Village Development Council, has practiced organic farming for many years and is a leader of the council.About 30 farmers who grow rice, soybeans, vegetables, etc. participate in this council, and they continue to actively participate in activities such as holding regular workshops. In Mr. Nakajima's 1700 square meter rice field, a thick layer of powder-like soil covers the soil, suppressing weeds and successfully realizing labor-saving organic rice farming that does not require weeding.The soil microbial diversity and activity value is over 140 and the deviation value is under 68, which is top class in Japan.We asked Mr. Nakajima about cultivation methods and other topics.

Q. What did you think when you saw the results of soil microbial diversity and activity value analysis?

The biogenicity of the soil was shown numerically, and I knew that what I had done was unmistakable.Until now, I have not been able to persuade others to verbally say, "This is good soil."
In the future, I hope to be able to explain the condition of the soil to other people using numbers.

A plate that analyzes the soil microbial diversity and activity values in Mr. Katsumi Nakajima's paddy rice field.value is 1,430,264

Q. Please tell me about the cultivation method.

Organic rice field

Until three years ago, I used to add wheat bran every year.
After rice planting, earthworm excrement and microorganisms decompose organic matter to create a thick layer, and the layer is deepened.Because the seeds are heavy, they sink to the bottom, and the toro-toro layer blocks the sunlight, so weeds do not grow.In other words, almost no work is required from rice planting to harvesting.

Q. So you were able to realize labor-saving organic rice farming?

that's right.In fact, I had been searching for labor-saving rice farming methods other than Aigamo farming.Since 8, we have been using less pesticides, and we have been using the Aigamo farming method for about five years since 5.
However, we realized that there was a problem with biodiversity because ducks also ate the organisms in the fields, so we changed to the current method in 14.In the process of searching, I think I have finally found a way to achieve this goal.Ideally, the rice straw and rice bran should also be returned to the paddy fields, creating a completely recycling-oriented agriculture.

Toro Toro layer that suppresses weeds

Q. How is the reaction of consumers and people around you?

Consumers have a reputation for “delicious rice”.If you eat it with brown rice, you can see the umami.Many frogs also live in this rice field.I think that living things in the rice field, including microorganisms, make this "delicious rice".We can harvest about 6 to 7 bales per square meter, but consumers appreciate the taste, so we sell it at more than twice the price of conventionally cultivated rice.

Paddy fields full of tadpoles

Q. Please tell us about your aspirations for the future, including how to use soil microbial diversity and activity value analysis.

The fields are surrounded by mountains.Irrigation ponds enable winter-fed rice fields

Weeding in organic rice farming is difficult, and until now, it has not become popular.
Anyone can practice labor-saving organic rice farming by practicing organic rice farming methods based on the technology of private rice research institutes.I hope that this farming method will spread all over the country.
Thanks to your support, we were able to obtain a certain level of soil microbial diversity and activity.
I would like to continue to conduct regular inspections so that I can confirm what I have done, and if the value drops, I would like to use it to verify where the problem is.