What Is Natural Agriculture

by Alan Imai

Sensei Alan Imai is the Assistant Director of Shinji Shumeikai of America. He also has responsibility for gathering information about alternative agriculture techniques and for coordinating Shinji Shumeikai’s of America’s Natural Agriculture activities.

To understand Natural Agriculture, we should look at how vegetables grow. First, we put a seed into the earth. The rain comes. The seed sprouts, takes root, and the plant grows. There is a germ of consciousness in all life, a consciousness that will also grow. The plant receives natural energy, a power to grow that is inherent in every living thing. The roots of the plant get water and nutrition from the soil. A sprout pushes through the seed’s husk and the plant continues growing by changing inorganic carbon dioxide and water into organic carbohydrates by absorbing sunlight. When we examine the soil, we find tens of millions of microorganisms constantly working to change inorganic matter into organic matter to nourish the plant. Eventually the plant blossoms and, with the help of insect pollination, bears the fruit that contains the seeds of the next generation of plants.

The relationship between a particular plant and the one growing next to it; between the plant and the weeds near it; between the plant and other vegetables in the same garden; between the plant and insects, birds, small animals, and earth worms all affect the plant and make up its natural environment. Additionally, the ponds, rivers, trees, and surrounding woods, and mountains also contribute to the plant’s environment and growth. The effect of the sun, rain, wind, changing seasons, weather conditions, and the region’s climate all have to be considered as part of the plant’s place in nature. The farmer who grows this plant and the people around him or her are also a very important part of this system as well. The energy and heat that the plant receives from deep within the earth, from the sun, from the moon, and all the planets are also linked to this plant. All these elements that form the plant’s environment, from the tiny, invisible microorganisms in the soil to the vast, remote, and unseen stars in deep space, have a spiritual connection to each other and to the plant.

Looking at the plant’s total environment in this way, we can begin to perceive the spiritual cords that connect this tiny plant to all other things and how these connections serve a very important function in nature.

As we have hearts, Mokichi Okada said, "…the plants and even the soil have hearts." Plants sense and respond to our thoughts. Those who practice Natural Agriculture express it this way, "First, we learn from nature, then we can grow plants." This saying implies that we human beings are part of nature and a part of the universe, a part of both the visible and invisible world. Those who practice Mokichi Okada’s agricultural method feel that nature is expressing itself through Natural Agriculture.

Just as a plant has its own individual soil and environment that is connected to everything else, each person has his or her unique environment that is connected to nature. We are all connected but we are all unique. And because we are all different people, each individual’s way of expressing Natural Agriculture will be different.

When we begin to realize that the "Art of Agriculture", as Mokichi Okada called it, is vital to our future, we will be able to take our natural position within nature and help restore nature’s balance. By practicing Natural Agriculture, we can begin to think of how each one of us uniquely relates to nature and learn how to act as a part of nature. Eventually, agriculture becomes transcendental. Natural Agriculture has the great potential to change our attitude towards nature for the better. And this is the fundamental key to the solution of all environmental problems.

Today we have food producers and food consumers. In the remotest beginning of human history, before such a division came about we were all human beings who had to eat to live. We all had to connect with nature to live. The Natural Agriculture Movement brings everyone back in touch with the soil and with nature again.

Natural Agriculture is a way to learn how to live harmoniously with nature.