Voices of graduates of Noto Satoyama Meister Training Program
Mr Yukiteru Tabata
Noto Satoyama Meister Program Second-term Graduate – Farming
I used to work as the general manager of a hotel in Noto. After taking part in the Meister Program, I established an organisation with young local farmers. As my graduation thesis, I summarised my goals for continuing my life in the village where I was born and raised, surrounded by rice terraces. As a present member of the Oku Noto Rice Terrace Network Association, and in cooperation with other rice terrace areas, I have developed our organisation’s activities, such as branding the local rice and communicating with consumers.
Mr Hidetoshi Koshida
Noto Satoyama Meister Program Fourth-term Graduate – Part-time Official of Hakui City Hall
I conducted quality testing of various kinds of rice as my graduation thesis. I had access to the laboratory of Kanazawa University and learned how to qualify the rice directly from the professor. It was a great chance to have such an experience free of charge. Opportunities like these would be invaluable for those who have clear goals and would like to take a scientific approach.
Ms Naho Nakatani
Satoyama Meister Fourth-term Graduate – Food Shop “A Little House”
When I began the Meister Program, I moved from Tokyo to Noto. Through this program I have met many new people, from locals to other trainees. I had many opportunities to get a broad range of knowledge from Satoyama experts in small groups. Opportunities like these are plentiful in rural areas in Noto, which is one of the many attractive points of this Meister Program. Noto seems like a very simple place at first sight, but the more you get to know it, the more you discover many interesting aspects of local life. I would like to welcome any cheerful people to the Program.
Various Lecturers
We would like to introduce some of the lecturers who lectured at the Noto Satoyama Meister Program (2007-2012).
Experts from the local areas, universities and research centers (titles omitted)
“Biodiversity of Satoyama Satoumi and its Preservation and Conservation”
by Koji Nakamura (Vice-President, Kanazawa University)
He explained the concept of biodiversity simply by utilizing the basic idea of Ecosystem Services. He is an expert in the recent movement of Satoyama Satoumi such as SATOYAMA Initiative, Biodiversity National Strategy, Millenium Ecosystem Assessment and the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).
Other lecturers:
- Kazumasa Hidaka (Associate professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University)
- Kouichi Goka (Chief Researcher, National Environment Research Center)
- Shigeatsu Hatakeyama (Chairman, NPO “Forest is a lover of Ocean”, UN Forest Hero)
Learning more about nature, culture, industries and history of local Satoyama Satoumi
by Keiichi Sakai (Promotion Section Chief, Noto Kaiyo Fureai Center)
Meister trainees learned about the present and future situation by studying fish and shellfish, seagrasses and marine plants. The center has conducted “Research and Study of the Restoration and Creation of Satoumi”. The lecture included an experiment to increase the seacucumber catch by undertaking embankment work by piling up natural stones at Nanao Bay. His lecture was very practical and stimulating.
Other lecturers:
- Asao Fujihira (Former Director, Wajima Kiriko Festival Lantern Museum)
- Satoshi Nishiyama (Deputy Chairman, Kaga Noto Folklore Society)
- Kenzo Shinokubo (Managing Director, Ishikawa Prefecural Oku Noto Agriculture & Forestry Comprehensive Office)
- Daisuke Akaishi (Researcher, Non-Profit Organization “Noto Peninsula Oraccha-no Satoyama Satoumi (Our Satoyama Satoumi)”)
Challenges to make new and efficient use of Satoyama Satoumi
by Tomoji Yokoishi (CEO, Irodori Co.,Ltd.)
He is famous as one of the initiators of the “decorative leaf business” which has been developed in Kamikatsu Town in Tokushima Prefecture. The “decorative leaf business” means collecting plants in Satoyama and selling them to high-end restaurants and inns as “garnish” to decorate the dishes. He talked about his twenty-year experience of revitalizing Kamikatsu Town from a place fading because of depopulation, to a model town of agricultural, commercial and industrial revitalization.
Other lecturers:
- Fumihiko Yoshimura (Representative, The Matsutake Crusaders)
- Tetsuji Kondo (Coordinator, The Ishikawa Sunrise Industries Creation Organization (ISICO))
- Satoyama Meister Graduates
New activities linking farming villages and urban areas
by Hisashi Sonehara (Representative Board Member, NPO Egao Tsunagete [Linking Smiling Faces])
In order to link urban and rural areas in a marginal village in Yamanashi Prefecture, he has conducted many cooperative activities, such as cultivation of unused farm land by farming village volunteers, product development and green tourism promotion with corporations, and commercialization of the houses built with Yamanashi timber. The Meister trainees learned important points about establishing businesses and commercializing products by making efficient use of local resources by means of workshops.
Other lecturers:
- Hiroyasu Takamine (CEO, Japanese Beech Forest Co.,Ltd.)
- Satoyama Meister graduates
Making efficient use of surveys, analytical methods and cutting-edge technology
by Shinsaku Kouji
Koji Ito
Daisuke Utsunomiya
(Researchers, Kanazawa University Institute of Nature and Environment Technology
Staff Members, Noto School)
The Meister trainees learned how to put cutting-edge technology into practice in many ways, from simple methods whose effects can be easily checked, to methods that require specific devices for interpretation. Their lectures included a farm product cultivation comparison experiment, surveys of biodiversity and natural pests and harmful insects in Satoyama Satoumi, and area analysis and information mapping by means of GPS (global positioning system) and GIS (geographical information system). The practical activities were conducted in collaboration with the researchers from Kanazawa University, Ishikawa University and Ishikawa Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry Research Center.
Pioneers of local agricultural businesses
Activities for branding local products in the primary industry
by Shinjiro Imura (Representative, Kanazawa Daichi Co. ltd.)
With the principle of “Agriculture that Lasts Thousands of Years”, Daichi has developed large-scale organic farming of rice and soybeans on the reclaimed land of Kahoku Lagoon, and processes and sells their organic products in cooperation with other businesses. He talked earnestly about his philosophy of life and his personal experiences as a new farmer after quitting his company job. This lecture was very encouraging for the Meister trainees.
Other lecturers:
- Shinichi Shinya (Representative, Kaneishi)
- Toshihiro Butta (President, Butta Nousan)
- Masayasu Moto (CEO, Budonoki Co.,Ltd.)
The role of leaders in supporting local industries
by Kenji Kurosawa (Chairman, NPO Agrinet / Former Manager, JA Kanra Tomioka Farming )
He introduced sales strategies for various growers, from small-scale garden-farmers to professionals, based on his experiences in economic farming reforms. He earnestly and precisely talked about the important points of preparing a production center and JA’s role as a coordinator.
Other lecturers:
- Miyaji Maeno (Unification Counselor, JF Ishikawa Suzu Branch)
- Kouzo Arikawa (President, Kaga Forestry Association)
- Sadahiko Oda (Chairman, Kagaya Co.,Ltd.)
- Ryugo Watanabe (Biodiversity Promotion Office, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Section of Sado City)
Prefectural governor, city mayors and leaders of local organizations
Local leaders’ thoughts for Noto and our hope for young people taking responsibility of its future
by Masanori Tanimoto (Governor, Ishikawa Prefecture)
Ishikawa Prefecture formulated a Biodiversity Strategy Vision and the Governor himself participated in COP10 (the tenth Conference of Parties) held in 2010 and made a strong appeal for the wonderful Satoyama Satoumi of Ishikawa Prefecture. Thus, the government of Ishikawa Prefecture has promoted local development by encouraging the best use of Satoyama Satoumi. Mr Tanimoto discussed policies and programs by explaining the present situation of agriculture in Ishikawa Prefecture and its challenges, including nurturing agricultural talent and promoting cooperation between agriculture, commerce and industry.
Other lecturers:
- Fumiaki Kaji (Wajima City Mayor)
- Masuhiro Izumiya (Suzu City Mayor)
- Kazushige Mochiki (Noto Town Mayor)
- Norio Ishikawa (Anamizu Town Mayor)