Masanobu Fukuoka
Written by: adekun on 5 September, 2008 6:02 pm - Filed under: garden ?
Masanobu Fukuoka passed away last month aged 95. He was the developer of the Fukuoka Method, known also as Do Nothing Farming.
Trained as a microbiologist in his native Japan, he began his career as a soil scientist specializing in plant pathology. At age 25, he began to doubt the wisdom of modern agricultural science. He eventually quit his job as a research scientist, and returned to his family’s farm on the island of Shikoku in Southern Japan to grow organic mikans. From that point on he devoted his life to developing a unique small scale organic farming system that does not require weeding, pesticide or fertilizer applications, or tilling.
Source: Wikipedia There’s a link at the bottom of the article where you can download two of his books.
For me his vision and approach is fascinating. I am also grateful to those over at Permaculture Reflections for their obituary.
Lzyjo
6 September, 2008 #
Great post. I’m glad I read the article. I wish I had known about him sooner. It makes me sad that he is gone, even though I know his methods will carry on. I’m surprised that he doesn’t get more credit for the no-till method.
adekun
7 September, 2008 #
I agree. Although the credit should go the the author of the Wikipedia article and those over at Permaculture Reflections. There is quite a bit of info around if you search for it. I suppose the usual money making reasons stifled uptake and credit.
Patrick
17 September, 2008 #
This is the first I’ve heard of his death. What a shame! I really thought One Straw Revolution was a great book. Thanks for posting about it.
adekun
18 September, 2008 #
Nobody I’ve spoken to since I’ve been here has heard of him. It’s not like he hadn’t been around awhile. I liked watching him directing his helpers to pour seeds into a cement mixer.