In Eastern philosophy, particularly within Daoism, nature is seen as something best left untouched by human intervention, a concept known as "wu wei ziran" (無為自然). This idea emphasizes that the natural state of things is optimal when they are allowed to function without human interference. In this context, nature is seen as self-regulating, with ecosystems maintaining balance through intricate, natural processes.
On the other hand, the act of cultivation involves deliberate human intervention to grow crops. This includes preparing the soil, planting seeds, watering, weeding, and harvesting. The term "natural farming" or "natural cultivation" thus appears contradictory because it suggests a method of farming that should ideally require minimal human intervention but, in reality, still involves significant human management.
For example, in traditional Japanese natural farming, such as the method popularized by Masanobu Fukuoka, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are avoided, and the farming practices aim to work in harmony with nature. However, even in natural farming, farmers must manage the soil, control weeds, and ensure that the crops have the conditions necessary to grow. This means that despite aiming to minimize intervention, human effort and influence are still very much present.
Another inherent contradiction in the concept of natural farming is related to the harvest and distribution of crops. If we are to truly follow the principle of letting nature take its course, the crops should ideally be left to grow, reproduce, and decay naturally. However, in practice, humans harvest these crops, transport them to markets, and consume them. This process disrupts the natural cycle of matter in the ecosystem.
Consider the lifecycle of rice in a paddy field. Naturally, rice plants grow, mature, and then release their seeds back into the soil, contributing to the next generation of plants and maintaining the ecosystem's nutrient cycle. When humans harvest the rice, the seeds (which contain valuable nutrients) are removed from this natural cycle. Instead of contributing to the ecosystem, these nutrients are transported away, consumed, and eventually disposed of elsewhere, often in ways that do not return them to the original ecosystem. This disrupts the natural cycle and can lead to a gradual depletion of soil fertility over time.
Thus, while natural farming aims to reduce human impact on nature, the act of harvesting and consuming crops inherently disturbs the natural balance. The nutrients that would normally cycle back into the ecosystem are redirected, creating an imbalance. This contradiction reveals that "natural farming" is fundamentally a human construct—a nostalgic ideal rather than a truly natural process.
Natural farming practitioners often strive to mitigate their impact on the environment, adopting sustainable practices that eschew synthetic chemicals and prioritize ecological balance. They seek to cultivate in ways that are more aligned with natural processes, reducing harm to the environment. However, it remains impossible to entirely eliminate human intervention from farming. The very act of growing crops for human consumption means altering the natural state of the land and the flow of nutrients within an ecosystem.
In conclusion, the term "natural farming" carries an inherent contradiction. It aims to harmonize with nature while involving necessary human intervention. This concept is more a reflection of human aspirations and nostalgia for a simpler, idealized past than a practicable, purely natural method of agriculture. Achieving true harmony with nature in farming requires not only a deep understanding of ecological principles but also a recognition of the limits of our ability to fully align agricultural practices with the untouched processes of the natural world. While the goals of natural farming are noble and essential for sustainable agriculture, they are, in essence, a compromise between idealism and practicality.
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日本語版はこちら
https://blog.kuma-farm-japan.jp/