Purification process
In Converting to Natural Farming
When first switching to natural farming, many people find that their crops don’t grow as expected. Seeds may fail to sprout, or plants may be eaten by insects. But this doesn’t mean natural farming is failing. On the contrary, it marks the beginning of a true regeneration of agriculture.
The pesticides and chemical fertilizers used in conventional farming weaken the activity of microorganisms in the soil and gradually drain the soil of its vital life force. Moreover, crops that have grown dependent on fertilizers may have become “altered” in a way that prevents them from absorbing nutrients from natural sources. These effects appear in the early stages of the transition as a noticeable difficulty in crop growth.
Believe the inner power of soil and crops
Okada Mokichi taught that the frequent appearance of pests and diseases during this period is a “purifying effect.” In other words, it is a necessary and sacred process through which the soil and crops strive to return to their original, natural state. You could say that the insects and diseases are helping to “cleanse” the residual unnatural elements left behind by past use of chemicals.
To overcome this period of purification, the first and most important thing is to shift your mindset—to understand that “something bad” is not actually happening. And instead:
- Thank the pests and diseases for coming to help make your crops healthier.
- Offer a prayer to the soil: “Please help the crops grow strong and healthy.”
- Trust in the innate power of the soil and the crops, and avoid relying on chemicals.
- Help restore the balance between fire and water within the soil.
The first few years may be challenging. But as you patiently observe and align your heart with the rhythms of nature, the soil and crops will begin to change—quietly, steadily. In some cases, it can take more than ten years for the land to fully recover its original strength. Even so, the vegetables grown there become irreplaceable blessings of life, offering their gifts to us.
Many natural farming practitioners look back and say, “I’m so glad I didn’t give up.” Believing in the power of nature—and holding a heart full of gratitude toward the crops and even the insects—illuminates a clear path into the future.
Some farmers also share a particular experience: when starting natural farming, they speak to the soil, saying, “We’re going to begin natural farming here. Please lend us your strength.” And from that moment on, their crops grow remarkably well, even in the early stages. Gratitude and love, they say, are the greatest forces for purification.
