- The origins that the future of agriculture should remember
When talking about the future of agriculture,
people tend to search for “new technology” and “efficiency.”
But perhaps what we really need now
is not to move forward, but to remember.
And the crop at the heart of this is hemp.
Hemp is not a "crop to grow" but a "crop to heal"
Many crops
take nutrients from the soil, are harvested, and then are gone.
Hemp is different.
Hemp first rebuilds the soil itself.
Deep roots
Fast growth
Large amounts of organic matter
Independent of pesticide use
All of these are essential for restoring weakened soil.
Once the soil dies, it doesn't come back immediately.
There’s a fact that’s often overlooked in modern agriculture.
Once soil is damaged,
it won’t be revived, even with the addition of fertilizer.
This is because
soil isn’t actually a “substance,”
but a collection of bacteria and microorganisms.
Soil with a reduced bacterial load
• Becomes more susceptible to disease
• Water becomes stagnant
• Crops become weaker
The more fertilizer is added under these conditions,
the more fatigued the soil becomes.
Hemp creates an environment where fungi can take center stage
What makes hemp special is that it attracts fungi rather than killing them.
– Secretions from its roots serve as food for fungi.
– It easily coexists with mycorrhizal fungi.
– It creates pathways for air and water in the soil.
As a result,
– Fungi increase.
– It creates a crumbly structure.
– It prevents pathogens from remaining.
Hemp does not “sterilize the soil,”
– It creates an environment in which the soil can naturally adjust.
Hemp is not hostile to insects
Many agricultural practices have traditionally considered insects to be “something to be eliminated.”
Hemp is different.
– Insect-resistant properties
– A friendly environment for beneficial insects
– No need for pesticides
As a result,
the balance between insects, fungi, and plants is naturally maintained.
By not killing insects,
hemp is able to achieve strength that is independent of insects.
Used as a "soil recovery crop" around the world
Around the world, hemp is already being used for:
– as a key component of crop rotation
– restoring fallow land
– and revitalizing polluted soil.
This isn’t because it’s eco-friendly;
it just makes sense.
Japan was the country that knew about hemp
We must not forget that Japan was originally a country of hemp.
・Clothing
・Rope
・Paper
・Festivals
・Agriculture
Hemp served as a link between life and nature.
With its disappearance,
both the soil and agriculture began to be strained.
What the future of agriculture needs is not "strength"
What agriculture needs in the future
is not stronger medicines or faster growth.
The ability to bounce back
The ability to recover
The ability to bounce back even after being broken
Hemp is at the origin of this.
Summary
Hemp
– Doesn’t demand much
– Doesn’t kill anyone
– Doesn’t leave behind soil
That’s why it has become a crop that heals the soil.
Perhaps what the future of agriculture should remember
is not the latest technology, but this feeling that we once let go of.