Seed-Saving Expert from Japan Visits Taiwan to Share Tips: Learn to Save Your Own Good Seeds
This article was originally published by the Shumei Natural Agriculture Association. Special thanks to Mr. Zhan Wulong for providing the information.
Text/ Chen Huiwen
Lately, I have been seeing the topics of "seed conservation," "keeping seeds with the people," or "keeping seeds with farmers" more and more often, and this is truly a welcome thing!
I recall that when I was still fairly young, just starting to encounter the unfamiliar subject of "saving your own seeds," my teacher told us: "One day, most seeds will be controlled by a small number of companies. Even if you buy seeds and grow them well, when you want to save your own seed, what you save will be seeds that cannot germinate, and you will have no choice but to spend money buying seeds from the seed companies every year..." At the time, I thought my teacher was exaggerating. I thought that if those seed and seedling merchants went too far, the government would step in to regulate; and even if the government did not step in, society would have public opinion! Surely things would not develop to such an outrageous extent!
Unfortunately, however, it is clear that not all governments in the world are willing to, or believe they must, regulate this matter. As the world's seed resources gradually fall into the hands of a few companies, unpleasant topics such as genetic modification, seed patents, species extinction, and farmer suicides are appearing more and more frequently!
Because "Shumei Natural Agriculture" has always emphasized saving your own seeds, an agricultural rookie like me has accumulated about as many years of seed-saving experience as years of vegetable-growing experience. Although I cannot achieve 100 percent self-saved seed, I have accumulated all kinds of seed-saving experience, and have even saved a few varieties I am proud of, fully enjoying the pleasure of plant breeding! For example: okra with huge fruits, amaranth as vigorous as a weed, and open-pollinated sweet corn that cannot be bought on the market... And yet, for commonly eaten vegetables such as cabbage, cucumber, and watermelon, on the market in Taiwan, without my realizing it, open-pollinated seeds can no longer be bought, and only so-called "improved" F1 seeds remain.
When promoting Shumei Natural Agriculture, being unable to find ideal seeds can be said to be everyone's regret. However, even if someone's "dream seeds" are found, the quantity is very limited. If some step in seed saving goes wrong, starting over is a small matter; but if the source of the seed is lost, then even if you are willing to put in the effort, there is nothing you can do.
Therefore, on December 12, we have specially and strongly invited the Japanese seed-saving expert Mr. Nakano Shigeki to come and share his seed-saving experience with us. Location: the International Conference Hall on the 10th floor of the Grand Hotel. Participants must register in advance (phone: 0912215814 or 0918011216).
Speaking of Mr. Nakano, I do not know whether it is because he has a baby face or because he really is very young, but at first glance he looks much younger than Huiwen, and yet he is the author of the "Home Seed Saving Handbook" published by the Shumei Natural Agriculture Alliance. For many years he has cultivated vegetable seeds that grow extremely well without relying on pesticides or fertilizers, and even for onions, which are extremely difficult to save seed from, he can successfully collect a great many seeds. He can be said to be an expert with both knowledge and skill.
Moreover, there will also be a special natural tea ceremony, a farmers' market, and a farmers' concert on site!
For this grand event, Mr. Nakano has specially set aside six days to come to Taiwan. The formal lecture will be only the afternoon session on the 12th, and after that, the Shumei Natural Agriculture Association will arrange for him to go to Tainan, Kaohsiung, Taitung, Hualien, Hsinchu, Taoyuan, and the Tamsui Happy Farm, among other places, to carry out exchange activities.
Without seeds, the work of "farming" cannot even begin. In other words, seeds are not only about whether there are vegetables to plant; they are even more about the food safety of you and me. If you also care about the issue of food safety, or if you happen to be a farmer pursuing safe ingredients, please do not miss this great opportunity for technical exchange! You are even more welcome to bring a companion! Or pass this message on to your good friends! (This article was originally published by the Shumei Natural Agriculture Association)
Seed-Saving Expert Mr. Nakano Shigeki's Taiwan-Wide Exchange Schedule (Free)
Free events; events marked with @ are open for registration. For registration, please contact the liaison person for each area~
12/12 (Mon) Taipei Session
@ Mr. Nakano Shigeki's New Book Launch
12:00-15:00 Shumei Natural Agriculture Farmers' Market
12:30-13:30 Musical Performance
13:30-15:30 Japanese Seed-Saving Expert Mr. Nakano Shigeki's New Book Launch
Location: Grand Hotel
Liaison: Wu Jiarong 0918-011-216
12/13 (Tue) Southern Session
@Kaohsiung Natural Agriculture Information Session
15:00-16:30 Natural Agriculture Information Session
16:30-18:00 Mr. Nakano's Exchange Session
Location: No. 12, Lane 139, Ziqiang 1st Road, Kaohsiung City
Liaison: Xu Shuzhen 0917-268-677
12/14 (Wed) Yilan-Hualien Session
@Hualien Seed-Saving Exchange Session
Time: 17:00-19:00
Location: No. 305, Gancheng 2nd Street, Gancheng Village, Ji'an Township, Hualien
Liaison: Li Qinghao 0928-259-298
12/15 (Thu) Taitung Session
Morning: visit Taitung farm households
@Taitung Seed-Saving Exchange Session
Time: 16:00-18:00
Location: No. 625, Neighborhood 28, Binlang Road, Binlang Village, Beinan Township, Taitung County
Liaison: Lin Yilong 0916-146102
12/16 (Fri) Taoyuan-Hsinchu Session
@Taoyuan Seed-Saving Exchange Session
Time: 10:00-12:00
Location: Maotian Family - No. 5-2, Neighborhood 1, Sanshi Village, Dayuan Township, Taoyuan County
Liaison: Chen Yanhong 0961-195-520
@Visit Hsinchu Pure Jade Natural Field
Time: 14:00-16:00
Location: No. 80, Xiashan Village, Qionglin Township, Zhubei City
Liaison: Zhan Wulong 0939-145-590