The era of ”plant and multiply”In the southwest of Ehime Prefecture, there is a scenic land surrounded by the sea and the mountains, where terraced fields spread as far as the eyes can see. Here, in Akehama Town, there is the “Muchacha-en”, in which 100 mandarin orange farmers are joined to work on pesticide-free organic cultivation. It is a land where mandarin oranges have been cultivated since ancient times in the mild climate with little rain. The beginning of Muchacha-en dates back to around 1959. At Akehama, under the national slogan of “Plant and Multiply” in 1959, almost all the farmlands were planted with mandarin orange trees, and they were planted even on the smallest piece of farm land. |
A new attemptHaving doubts about such a situation, Muchacha-en started in 1974 with 15 a (1500 m2) of Iyokan farming. The initial members were only three. Isn’t it possible to do agriculture that is friendly to humans as well as nature, without the use of pesticides and fertilizers—-. Isn’t it possible for farmers to labor for the joy of growing food, instead of having to labor painfully and the crops are bought only at cheap prices —–. |
Consumers also support togetherAnother feature of Muchacha-en is that consumers are required to register as members. This is from the idea that the producers and the consumers have to build a visible relationship with each other, and have to coexist by understanding each other. |
ACCESS
- Kabushikigaisha Regional Corporation Muchacha-en
- 3-134 Karihama, Akehama-cho, Seiyo-shi, Ehime Prefecture
- URL http://www.muchachaen.jp/