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3/1/1991 - Japanese Farmer-Consumer Co-partnerships’ “Teikei” by Arthur Getz

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT WRITER S CONSENT INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS AAG JAPANESEFARMER CONSUMERCO PARTNERSHIPS TEIKEI Tokyo March2 Peter Bird Martin Executive Director InstituteofCurrentWorld Affairs Wheelock House West Wheelock Street Hanover NH03755 Arthur Getz 6Kyodo Setagaya Tokyo JAPAN Dear Peter Over several years Japanese media occasionally dealt issue constitutes organically raised product What these programs concluded confirmed personal experience sampling variety products variously described organic yukisaibai munoyaku natural shusen nosambutsu pesticide tenoyaku genoyaku reveals beyond costing there nothing consistent about nobody seems establish terms actual practice Discrepancies contradictions abound Japanese greengrocers wholesalers packers farmers consumers common definition standard exists Until seems state uncertainty Japanese consumer choices onecouldassumethataparticularproductwasinfactbonafideandcontinuetoconsume skeptical shopper could return conventional market lethal pesticide accumulations until eventual clarification issues about while saving money third option would private channel offered greater proof claims Greater consumer awareness problem protection fraud created pressure reform within existing market system The issue reached attention government officialsand otherconcerned parties therearecurrently effortsunderway todevelop standards criteria certifying organic products future In search models experienceon subject these groups athowother countries addressed problem Standards certification schemes organic farming something recently isolated collection examples states municipalities federal legal definition United States Organic Food Act emerge European Common Market level member states consolidate their internal approaches negotiate differencesbetweenmember states Thistransformationhasbeendrivenbyaremarkablesurgeininterestinfood safety Inthespan decade organic agriculture movement fringe specialty market health mainstream multi million industry involving interstate international trade In United States history definitions certification organic production began process voluntary regulation private producer groups played largest Arthur Getz Institute fellow examining issues agricul human values cross cultural perspective AAG formulation guidelines standards these mostly pertained quality restrictions types sprays techniques could policy third party inspections farms confirm compliance Recommended practices informally incorporated process promoting organic approach In general producers found comply established standards certified allowed certifying authorities labels their products Consumers purchased those products small retail outlets identifying certification labels might appear display product itself ORGANICPANIC In three years demand organic foodshasjumped withmassmedia exposure adulterationand contamination ofharmful pesticide residues freshand processed products bacterial contamination poultry products hormones Quite suddenly network private certification organizations stretched beyond capacity supply public through itssmalldistributionchannelsofhealthfood stores farmer smarketsandu pickoperations Retailing giants wholesale suppliers supermarket chains acted quickly attempt provide organic product consumers willingly average premiums price conventionally raised foods produce sections expanded linear footage organic displays accordingly Stories whole production being purchased future accompanied conventional distribution system lungeonto organic marketingbandwagon This process organic empire building overnight conversions organic farming proved tobeenough alarm previouslyautonomous independent minded organic producergroups around United States realization unless something decisive substantial protect thems elves integrity their approach meaning organic become confused greatly devalued In winter first meetings Organic Farmer Associations Council OFAC express purpose arriving unified national response development A catalyst process drafting federal legislation which sought unify definitionanddrawinputfromthe various sectors involved organic producer groups organic processors distributorsand retailers consumer foodsafetyactivistsandenvironmentalgroups Emerging process pulling together input coalition forces ultimately demonstrated strength innumbersand organization overcome powerful agriculture lobby policy making establishment In dramatic House Representatives floor coalition overrode agriculture committee rejection proposed legislation approval original Bill The legislation feature sharing decision making authority between private public agents widening participation regulatory process through system referenda appeals nationally representative organic board structured reflect diversity ofenvironmental consumer producer processor interests The likely impact beyond boundaries current organic market One example reciprocity clauses contained within limit international trade organic products those countries having legal national definition Meanwhile groups individuals involved developing legislation turning their attention related issues support alternative agricultural research promotion sustainable agriculture domestic subsidy programs international level controls trade pesticides questions export subsidies destabilization developing countryeconomie It still early pronounce judgment effect national legislation organic G industry economic vitality The US comes effect international level International Federation Organic Agriculture Movements IFOAM still process working ground rules accreditation national organic certification organizations Polls haveshown willingness American consumer paymore product reliably safer But recent slowing demand prompted several larger supermarket chains withdraw earlier enthusiastic promotions oforganic products premiums organic timesdropped within5 ofconventional product Whilesomedoubtsmaypersistaboutwhetherstrictcompliancewiththesestandards ismore assured federal regulatory component I cause concern regulation really accomplish while placing faith market place process Parallels problems conventional agriculture distribution channels remain provoke concern standards eliminate wasteful costly procedures create better opportunities farmers operatingon smaller scale those located marginal areas In search standards criteria marketing organic products Japan question asked whose benefit these standards developed final objectivesofsucha system Recently there great interest these changes taking place US agriculturalsystem butseveralJapanesewithwhomIhavediscussed theAmericanexperienceleading organic little parallel domestic political scene might similar Japan Citizen participation national legislative process supported national organizations environmental public interest other grassroots causes could lobby Diet Bureaucratic controls authoritative likely involve input public while consumeractivistssuggestthatanystandard thatmayemergewouldclosely reflect theinterestsofthe corporate sectorand highly centralized distribution system An interesting attempt adopt certification system Japan prefectural level Okayama prefecture south Honshu modeled program after private certification groups US relies prefecture government authority administer standard evaluate farmers It differs considerably other standards requiring considerably shorter transition chemically intensive organic farming months instead years Despite these constraints alternative rather successful approach problem supplying consumers organic products developed Japan This direct marketing approach called teikei cooperation partner takes variety forms interaction between producer consumer groups These mutually beneficial linkages clearly avoid official criteria standards while accomplishing stated goals organic standards toward TheTeikei Approach Practice To partnership system works I focus relatively successful example I associated since The Ohira Setagaya Ward Tokyo distribution produce Wakabakai Young Leaf Society which after twenty years involves fourteen farmers several surrounding prefectures nearly hundred consumer families residing Tokyo metropolitan The system traced Japan would resemble radiating lines converging farms various parts country Ohira household another AAG shorter lines reaching consumer households reater Tokyo The farmers outlying prefectures personally deliver their crops Ohira Setagaya Ohira family sorts shipments corresponding clusters families combining their produce those other farmers Careful records theamountand prices being sorted From there members Wakabakai group handle distribution these along established routes coordinating points secondary sorting operations At pointssomeofthemembersofthatparticularareadivide lotsinto family sized portionswhichare turnpickedupbyindividualhousehold members This sorting rotating volunteer basis usually involves least three persons spending hours afternoon Deliveries times depending season Very often harvested morning consumers tables evening While minima washing performed fields cleaningand preparation remains responsibility consumers While washing spinach example mothers children might occasionally variety ladybug Ohira field housewives weeding other tasks Ohira rotating basis though because Wakabakai rarely month people manage visit This assistance compensates extra Ohira family plays distribution system Beginning Ohira whose family farming Setagaya three hundredand fiftyyears andasmallgroupofhousewives thegrouphasgrown itspresentsizeafter aninvolved process ofevolutionand change Ohira abandoned agricultural chemicals years because serious health problems After several difficult years mastered locally available resources develop compost restore fertility fields His tasty crops attracted local housewives recognizing value safety approach importance directly supporting farming rapidly disappearing The conventional market could distinguish between Ohira crops those raised other means adequately reward careandextraeffortgoingintohisfarm Theneighborhoodgroupdecided tocreateasystemthatwould ensureenoughofasteadyand stabledemandforhisproductthathecouldconcentrateondoingwhathe raising organic crops Veteran members recount ensuing experimentation always smooth process involving degrees ofcommitment energy tomake thingswork Wakabakai members variety answers asked joined partnership aspects highly valued safety foods reliability supply They speak farmer vegetables cating value personally knowing farming families taken responsibility raising their Pricesarearrived atthroughmutualconsultationatanannualmeetingbetween allfarmersand consumers records remarkable price stability several years They range about fifteen percent above sometimes slightly below market price conventionally raised produce The difference between through conventional distribution system produce exchanged through teikei systems greater proportion price actually farmer rather intermediate handlers distributors retailers At annual meetings decisions about variety quantity products begrown andthere isagooddealofdiscussionwithinputfrombothsides In witnessing process bargaining consultation clear principles mutual cooperation highly valued respec advantages gained through direct contact other Farmers consider fewer demands placed their sorting elaborate packaging required conventional distribution channels AAG produce would otherwise strict cosmetic standards centralized market example nothing straightest uniform cucumbers through elaborate channelsand reach displays ofthe street greengrocers Consumersagreetoacceptalltheproducethat israised andinsomecasescropfailuresarealso compensated natural fluctuations crops given variable agree share Since relationship between farmers consumers multi arrangement confident losses surpluses another This sharing Nature offer isone themostunique aspects partnership system Monthly meetings between representatives farmers consumers which process tuned updates delivery availability feedback consumers heard Another communication Wakabakai newsletter which frequently accompanies produce keeps family informed about events monthly meetings includeupdatesoncrop informationor noticesabout eventsof interest themembers Thenewsletter isproduced monthlybya committee ofconsumers othercommittees responsibility collecting money helping shipments apples other products The fruits vegetables packaged paper boxes which The members drive points carry receipts addition submit receipts their driving expenses Othermodels MiyoshiVillage Kaneko The teikei approach being applied other scales elements differ Wakabakai model Across Bay Tokyo farming village southern Boso Peninsula thirty households combine produce organic fruits vegetables grains nearly thousandconsumerfamiliesinTokyo Theconversion toorganicfarmingofmanyofthe localfarmshas meant entire village reverse slide collapse characterizes farming regions Japan Younger people remain continue function family centered farming households In operation nearly Wakabakai partnership distinguished itself building community house village which center formanyof thegroup activities includingasummerexchangeprogram forurban children Another example Kaneko household situated north Tokyo Saitama prefecture This micro level expression teikei system functions between Kaneko family eleven consumer households located within immediate The strives provide members fruits vegetables grains products possible exchange barter system which individual households determine appropriate payment To foreigner viewing various partnershipsbetween producersand consumers oforganic foods teikei concept seems remarkably simple direct approach problem getting foods consumers reasonable price One wonders approach widespread West until closer examination reveals tremendous amount cooperative effort mutual assistance plain raises doubts whether system could function within cultures inclined toward individual competition thanon social cooperation The community supported agriculture bears important resemblances eikei approach I analyzed American experiments along these lines newsletters AAG AAG andamcompilingmore aboutEuropean models forthcoming newsletter AAG MakingtheConversion SocialPressureandConsumerSupport It commonly amount required successfully convert chemical organic farming begin getting productive results about years During first several years farmers experience heavy losses other frustrating problems field often evendifficulttoproduceenoughforthefamilyalone As fields recover their natural fertility yields increase there still difficulties prevent crops frombeing through markets Underthese circumstances support throughbuying agreements consumers farmer proceed efforts abandon hazardous chemicals In newly formed group Tokyo support proved critical viability partnership Consumers adopted farmers relatively inexperienced organic struggled several years harvests until fertility returned fieldsand losseswere reduced This typically trying period socially farmer making conversion neighboring families actions might threatening unity community challengingtheauthorityoflocalleaders Inthisaspectofthechangeover supportfromconsumerscan provide critical motivation encouragement farmer acting within often conservative setting Risk takin locally oriented research Whenweconsiderthepressurethat isbeingplacedonafarmertopredictthetrendsindemand crops clear between conditions which exert control those which little influence Modern farmers become victims trade decisions price fluctuations often originate distant places order these uncertainties increasingly sought production methods Typically heaviest spraying occurs farmer standing field waiting advantageous price Pesticides eliminate gamble perception control farmer needs order choose where crops It parallels industrial practice holding inventories although obviously limited ripeningandotherbiological factorsthatdonotconstrainproductsmadefrominanimatematerials It isalsopossible seeaclearconnectionbetweenmarketvulnerabilityandtheamountofrisk taking experimentation farmer willing This particular significance organic farming sphere because experimentation critical aspect progressive development farming techniques Organic agriculture enjoys little support conventional channels information support agricultural extension system agricultural schools Ministry Agriculture research facilities Nor benefit access credit seeds cooperative discounts onfertilizersandotherproducts orotherformsoffinancialsupporttoconventional farmers Organic farmers inJapan elsewhere relyon theirownexperiments learn about support gained direct association consumers provide security needed risks personal incentive improve existing techniques varietiesofcropsprovided toconsumers Active sharing ofexperimentsand methodsgoeson farmers studygroupsand contributions variety journals newsletters serving organic farming community Japan The security direct support consumers tends farmers jealously guarding successful results conceal experiments failed information likely shared openly usefulform Asconsumersgrowtounderstandmoreaboutfarming theytoobecomeanimportantsource A AG ofnewinformationandideas andbecauseoftheirnumbersanddemonstrated interest theyrepresenta source information collecting potential Food Preservation Because consumers direct partnerships agree accept produce coming their farmers fields times preserve surpluses utilize Mrs Ohira commented these circumstances sometimes encourage inventive recipes housewives adapting nature provides instead having convenient selection chemical supermarket cornucopia Conversely particular scarce amount divided evenly among households The result revival culture wholesome preserving techniques which modern times largely replaced additives chemical preservatives added consequence social system which supports organic production system In contrast conventional approach regulating supply strict metic standards wasteful discarding substandard produce occasional surpluses dealt ample advance notice through communicationnetwork Some preservation tasks labor intensive consumers collectively organize occasiontolightentheindividualburden Groupcanningoftomatoesordryingandpicklingvegetables areexamplesofthese tasksnowrareintheWestern tradition while themakingoftsukemono pickled things suchastakuan preserveddaikon alargewhiteradish areparallelsinpracticeamong eikei households MixedFarmingforVarietyand Stability The direct partnership between farmers consumers promotes mixed farming either theformofagreatervarietyofcrops orintheadditionoflivestocktothefarm Thiswouldusuallybe risky uneconomical farmer decisions about plant rewarded market guessing highest paying during particular period planting exclusively It contrasts sharply farmers working under price support system other grains wherein centralized decision making coordinates monocrop plantingofalimited varietyofgrains andgovernmentagenciesabsorbsurpluses Livestock profitable small scale other products considered This because small scale livestock operations cannot compete factory conditions livestock conventionally raised under unlesstheyconformtoindustry standards threaten integrity their organic approach For example industry associationmaycompel itsmemberstousecertainchemicalproductsinorder theirmeatthrough Biological farming often contrasted withchemical intensivefarmingby replacement inputs pesticides fertilizers fungicides those natural origin composts mulches biological sprays labor inputs But information intensive requiring precision knowledge biologica relationships insect reproductive cycles cropping cycles plant plant plant interactions These compounded information requirements greater management complexity consequently greater limited production equation amount considerable pressures farmer shared consumer groups information flows allow greater coordination harvest distribution pressure alleviated Thus information intensity entail social component AAG controlled distribution network But through support consumers produced under safer conditions farmers advantage other benefits raising livestock providing supply ofmanureforcompost orcontrollingweedsinthe fields Inthissense themarketdiseconomiesofscale applying small scale livestock production factors affecting farmer decision returned option stock raising allows designs incorporate useful elements provided livestock overall efficiency sustainability operation Short economic pressures discourage planting variety crops because greater difficulty management greater complexity planting harvesting cultivation limits large machinery created monocrop systems evidence around Uniformity thiscaseistheresultofthedemandofmarketforcestoobtain efficient lowerpricesperunit despite longertermdisadvantagesand risks Inmuchofthedebateabout sustainability agriculture muchoftheattentiontends focus reduction inputs production system However designing sufficiency level ignore peril power forces pressuring farmer specialize particularmarket Mypointhereissimple whenyouhaveacertainandstablesourceofdemand easier develop diversity croppin systems biological value maintaining The consumers variety their along their desire reliant possible their partners tends promote mixed cropping which translates enhanced ecological stability greater immunity pests fields K simpler symmetry between diversity ecology diversity human diversityofcropsonthefarmgodirectlyto thekitchensofteikeico partners Consumerspracticing teikei partnerships obtain their possible their farmers Wakabakai members estimate about oftheirfoodfromthegroup sfarmers Itemsmosttypicallypurchasedontheoutsideinclude grains meats spices there partnerships supply these Another order diversity achieved there cooperation between farmers coordinating their supply group consumers If particular local climate conditionsarenotsuitedtoa particularcrop itmaybethatanotherfarmerinthegroupcaneffectively handle Indeed basis membership among group farmers supplyingaconsumergroup In Wakabakai Mr Mizuno whose located apple growing region Nagano prefecture supply group apples other fruits suited region In Shizuoka prefecture another farmer raises citrus fruits while another Chiba prefecture raises crops Thus geographic distribution farmers group contributes variety which provided consumers linkages these concerned urban households assures outlying farmers livelihood while farming biologically Collective ofmachineryand sharing In Miyoshi Mura teikei village mentioned above other benefits gained immediate proximity cooperating farmers The villagers coordinate production tasks thesameway theirancestorsresponded tothecooperativedemandsoftraditional ricecropping Machinery nearly eliminated formerly community binding planting harvesting group But purchase labor saving machinery farming predominately occupation totally dependent expensive maintenance Japan mainstream agricultural cooperatives induced small farmer purchase machinery update their equipment regularly which translates production costs certain AAG inefficiencies which government absorb through price support system Ofcourse consumer ultimately through taxes price support system afloat through riceon market Machinery required farmers direct relations consumers rather agricultural cooperat purchased collectively savings individual farmer This results reduced liabilities maintenance lower instances machinery While these equipment sharing practices confined those farmers engaged partnerships consumers seems practice likely place among farmers common group productiondemandsand sharedconsumers In machinery might needed consumers collective dimension purchase clearly beneficial In Wakabakai group large storage refrigerator perishable crops juices purchased groups funds small hulling machine their milling facility Greaterhuman contact No discussion advantages teikei system would complete without devoting attention human factor motivation exists under direct partnership between farmers consumers I already mentioned value consumers attach being farmer vegetables there reciprocal value farmers place knowing those receive their produce These farmers pride their because occasions people receive their crops rather producingcrops forunknownfaces inunknowndestinations Greater taken fields handling delivery produce The anonymity producers market system superficial standards applied vegetables fruits anonymity consumers receiving concern about safety crops InmyvisitstofarmsaroundJapan sometimeshavefoundthatfarmerswhoareusingchemical methods isolated plots where raise their family using considerably fewer chemicals It would clearer evidence markets brought about separation responsibilityand concern safety Fres hness taste seasonality Health nutritional benefits direct market system absence chemical residues lower exposure risks farmers There evidence suggest freshness foods provides vitamin levels higher those produce through longerdistribution channels Thetimefrompickingtoarrivalatconsumers doorstepsismostoftenless Wakabakai group distribution system The superior texture appearance these fresh vegetables fruits attributed their healthy growing conditions being picked closer ripeness because handled storedby manyintermediate channels Most gardeners agree tastiest tomato would hardly survive around block those purchased tomatoes stores memory tomatoes taste compared those green versions Which varieties farmers raise something growing concern consumers teikei system decisions about kinds collectively based farmers experience consumers desire fornewor heirloom varieties The problem finding adequate seeds which farmers these groups paying G increasing attention often seeds hardiness other qualities tmeetthe criteriaofcommercialplantbreeders Thepreservationandcontroloveropen pollinated heirloom seeds widely recognized vital issues Mr Ohira opinion jealously guarded seeds could ultimately viable shared other farmers plant different fields Beyond being neighborly swappingis interest The national umbrella organization partnership movement Japan Organic Agriculture Association YukinogyoKenkyukai YNK sponsored annual saving exchanges where farmers around country convene share seeds seedlings presentations their propagation There contention seasonality foods important relationship health eating those crops season physical health relief ailments typically accompany those seasonal changes At least belief frees farmer trying raise crops synchrony weather conditions which lowers costs greenhouses allows seasonal changes check insect populations diseases natural Thetaskof controlling pests diseases enclosed systemsuch greenhouse leading causeofpesticidepoisoningamongJapanesefarmers Harmfullevelsofchemicalsrapidlybuildupin these contained environments Mr Ohira whose father first introduce greenhouse techniques Japan believes father early death chronic health problems direct result earlier pesticides airtight enclosures The greenhouse system coming under criticism effects quality The temperatures heavy fertilizer applications common greenhouses mineral build hardness similar desert conditions plague growing percentage agricultural lands other regions world Ironically while Japan enjoys tremendous rainfall history fertile soils Japanese farmers making multitude small deserts inside these greenhouses problem flush these accumulated residues restore fertility greenhouses focus several researchers Japan greenhouses widespread problem promises critical forsometime tocome Consumercontrolovermethods Asconsumerdemandsbecomemorespecific andmorebroadlybased includenotonly types products desired definitions governing manner which produced becomes apparent current market mechanisms inadequate effectively satisfactorily accommodate these demands The conditions chickens other livestock raised underisanexampleofemerging0whichcall forethicalcontrolsorsomeformofcertificationsystem because factors question visually apparent product Testingfoods forpesticideresidueshasbeenproposed several places total screening produce involving considerable technical difficulty addition prohibitive expense therandom sampling ofproducewould inspire partial confidence safetyconsumersseek Efforts direction involve greater costs producers ultimately consumers still remain skeptical veracity inspection labels other forms certification If these standards criteria marketing unnecessary direct market approach benefits might exist pplying system advantages would accrueand whatproducts Itmaybe thatstandardswouldbeofgreateruse tofoodprocessorsratherthan toproducers Perhaps standards needed processed products because direct market partnership impossible supply themselves products Several partnership groups sought processors ofmiso paste sauce health products other household product supplies G While their ideal achieve direct market arrangements categories possible maybean elusive allbut themostorganizedand determined Arelevant consideration whether wholesomeness ingredients freshness quality greater importance Food processors benefit itisonlychemicalresidues notfreshnessorrawnessof foods thatisofgreatestconcern Social ecological goals Many organic agriculture movement concerned broader social ecological goals advance through influence exerted organized consumers foods Many democratic control production critical dimension partnership other alternative marketing approaches The cooperative skills developed decision makinginco partnershipshelprestoreconfidenceand trustamongthemembersofthegroups particularlywhentheresultsaresomuch greaterthanwhentheycouldachieveasindividuals Some partnership groups sought expand their influence affect changes broader political level voted their supporters political office local regional levels Consumers become empowered their experiences circumventing conventional distribution system turned their attention local conservation issues peace nuclear campaigns issues international development injustices third world The educational consumers gaining broader awareness natural processes constraints raising their involves important benefit The periodic visits mothers children farmer field necessary accepting difficulties pleasures farmers experience raising organically Such visits modify unconditional dislike insects learn people Ohira insects serve vital natural processes bring their meals Putting their hands tasks weeding connections somewhat present Tokyo residents On broader level prospect stemming rural flight restoring vitality permanence rural areas clearly furthered through stability consumer farmer links These problems which fitfully attended various government levels better solved through mmediate level direct partnership building formation private sectorurban ruralbonds If partnerships widely adopted process could contribute toward stemming rural flight higher locally specific ecologically sustainable standards living maintained rural areas For decades Japan narrow election campaign slogan standard living parity between urban rural incomes resulted creation elaborate political machine which generates projects tourism schemes erosive ecological cultural impact Parodies local authentic cultures scaled tourist venture versions original evidence throughout Japan barrel schemes involving extraneous building other infrastructure projects common Beyond their serious ecological impact create cycle dependency central government political forces promoting large constructionprojectsinordertomaintainthatdependency andthustheirowncontrol Localautonomy perpetually undermined short capital investment outside Think Glob011ytForm Locally At level because greater variety foods raised consumers farming families AAG themselves partake greater variety their table without having spend their earnings buying haven produced Conventional Japanese farmers their American counterparts spend their gathering aisles supermarkets With partnerships farmerand consumer familiescome larger percentage their budget spenton purchases which control which responsibility On national level sufficiency priority national development priorities favored industrial export sector encouraged greater reliance imported foods Rice duction exception which Japan adamantly protects total sufficiency levels maintainsan elaborate system price controlsandmanaged production However heavily outward economy orientation trade frictions calls further trade liberalization particularly agricultural products Claims unfair protection offarmers through price supportsand importquotas serious challenges statusquo Japanese agriculture already begun effect recent shifts policy GATF negotiations spell final words Japanese countryside The signals being Japanese farmers point towards upscaled operations wider application machinery industrialized agriculture techniques resulting greater rural flight anddecreaseinfarmingpopulations Getbig orgetout Japanese style These changes heralded improvements efficiency Japanese agriculture necessary process change despite hardships suffered rural populations cultural impact disappearing rural But perhaps alarming result ecological damage suffered landscape shifted other terraces which critical water storage Japan hydrological infrastructure disrepair Accompanyingthistrendtowardincreasingrelianceuponforeignfoodproducersarethe energy safety costs system The shipping distances involve steep costs require applications hazardous fungicides other preservative measures harmful human health On macro level national economic policy consequent collapse domestic agriculture citizens powerless reverse these trends Many their significant practical response process directly support Japanese farmers through partnership system Meetings ormandates Whilethe teikei systemcanbeseenasapositivesmall scaleapproachtoaddressingmanyof structural social problems modern agriculture brought about questions remain about spreading quickly whether other alternatives viable appropriate under certain conditions The Japan Organic Agriculture Association YNK placed strong emphasis promotion partnerships exclusion other means distributing organic produce consumers The organization places priority contact process handling distribution among members partnership vital maintaining contact between producers consumers They therefore avoid commercial transporters distribution systems While leadership dictate specific blueprints offer principles mutual cooperation guide those seeking farmer consumer links The organization produces monthly journal Tsuchi Kenko Soil Health which provides information variety organic farming issues fairly large readership Estimates numbersinvolved partnershipsvary butmostoftenanumberaroundtenthousand isgiven Regular seminars presentations variety locations throughout offices Association A national congress convenes regularly winter Tokyo AAG regularlydrawshundreds offarmerandconsumer representatives The organization facing dilemma threatens split membership With increasing pressure develop standards criteria certification distribution organicproducts theYNKmustdecidewhether taketheopportunity toparticipateinandevenlead discussion ignore these developmentsand relyonitsownapproach Criticism latter strategy argues everyone wants these tnership groups everyone still fight receive reasonably priced foods Other criticisms there enough these groups burgeoning interest individuals trying identify sources organic foods consumers purchase adequate access information contacts The organization could expand catalyzing formation groups bolster network bring interested parties together present emphasizing those directions While certification schemes objectionable several grounds there unexpected benefits examine protection organic farmers against threats their operations In small operating rural Oregon farmers involved subscriptionfarmingsystem Supplyingabout local familieswith organic produce notenough protect drift sprays administered state forestry service C ontrol forest pests overrode their commercial interest supplying chemical produce their customers because until joined certification program could clearly demonstrate damages courts particularly protracted period Thus managers prompted certification scheme Oregon despite their having intention marketing their produce beyond local The courts awarded injunction against spraying certain areas adjoining their fields their applications certification program being processed The state forestry servicewas laterordered tousebiologicalpestcontrolmethodsintheareanearthe Looking effects modern agriculture around world seems perhaps greatest losers future generations inherit depleted eroded because excessively biased pressure production inherent reliance market forces guard ultimate measure sustainability health It probably dimension pocketbook lawbook greatest difficulty protecting because involves values which difficult translate purchase orders legal restrictions Projections about world population growth diminishing shifting arable lands through desertification climate change addition health concerns about environmental quality general conclusions alternative methods producing anddistributingfoodmustbedeveloped ifweare toremainconfidentaboutagriculture sustainability intothefuture Bothtraditionalandmodemecologicalresearchsourcescanbedrawnuponinorderto reshape systems But strive develop social systems capable supporting responsive flexible manner technological shift towards biological agriculture The teikei approach clearly possible which individuals groups difference scale structure agricultural towards diversified stableand resource conserving supply Received Hanover