Sustainable Agriculture School offering online organic farming class

If you value eco-friendly food production, growing organic vegetables is the ultimate means of achieving that mission. However, organic farming is a niche industry in Japan for two major reasons. First is the seasonal rain in early summer. Sustained rain can inhibit plant root growth and wash away soil, while warm weather helps insects and weeds to grow. The other major factor is the over-use of chemical fertilizers. To prevent the vegetables from being devoured by insects, chemical fertilizers are often applied. However, this can damage healthy soil, which is essential for organic farming.

iCas Inc is an environmentally-friendly agribusiness venture known for its organic farming and food services. Since 2018, the company has run an agriculture training institution called “organic (SAS)” in Hiratsuka-city, Kanagawa. SAS has a farm in Hiratsuka-city, so students can learn the science behind organic farming and gain first-hand experience at the same time.

In the last two years, SAS has produced more than 70 graduates, some of whom have successfully started their own farms. The school has been attracting aspiring novice farmers from Tokyo and other Kanto prefectures such as Saitama, Ibaraki and Chiba.

SAS’ passion to keep teaching sustainable farming

SAS made a significant adjustment to comply with social distancing requirements during the stay-at-home period, offering benefits to both new and existing students. As people spend more time at home, SAS saw an increase in inquires and applications to the program. To accommodate this emerging demand, SAS decided to offer a distance-learning program where students can learn about agriculture from the comfort of their own homes. In this 6-month program, students can attain comprehensive knowledge of agriculture, including the history of crops, soil cultivation and plant viruses. The program is aimed for those who are looking to start organic farming and provides essential tips on how to design and build their own farms.

The company believes that local consumption is key in promoting organic vegetables in Japan, saving on the cost of transport, and also supporting local farmers and economies. To ensure food safety during the pandemic, it is always beneficial to know exactly where your vegetables are coming from.

The online program starts in September, and a briefing session is to be held on August 23.