Seeds You Choose Make Who You Are
“Seeds You Choose Make Who You Are.”
This phrase encapsulates the profound connection between what we eat daily and the origin of those foods—the seeds. Seeds are the source of life for crops, and their quality and variety significantly affect our health, environment, and the sustainability of our future food supply. However, Japan’s current seed self-sufficiency rate is alarmingly low, and this issue often goes unnoticed.
The Current State of Seeds in Japan
Japan’s seed self-sufficiency has been steadily declining. Most vegetable and fruit seeds are now imported. Amid this shift, F1 hybrids—seeds produced by first-generation crossbreeding—have become widespread due to their uniform traits and ease of mass distribution. While they are convenient for commercial farming, F1 hybrids cannot reproduce true to type, forcing farmers to purchase new seeds every year. This dependency weakens domestic seed autonomy and increases reliance on large multinational seed companies.
Such reliance poses risks to food safety and sustainable agriculture. Imported seeds may be developed under foreign agricultural standards, which do not always align with Japan’s climate or soil, potentially increasing the need for pesticides and fertilizers. Furthermore, genetic modification and chemical treatments used on these seeds raise additional concerns—many of which remain invisible to consumers.
The Value of Local Seeds and Seed Saving
Amid these concerns, the practices of seed saving and cultivating traditional local varieties have regained attention. Seed saving is the process where farmers collect seeds from their own crops for future planting. This practice is vital in natural and sustainable farming. Indigenous and heirloom varieties that have adapted to local climates can thrive with minimal reliance on external inputs like fertilizers or pesticides. These varieties also offer unique flavors and textures that reflect the cultural identity of each region.
For instance, traditional Japanese vegetables nurtured over generations often boast distinct tastes and high nutritional value. However, with the dominance of F1 hybrids, many of these heirloom varieties are disappearing, along with the regional food cultures they represent. Continuing the practice of seed saving helps preserve these traditions and enhances Japan’s food self-sufficiency.
Seeds: The Foundation of Food Safety
The type of seeds we choose also directly impacts our health. Many commercially available fruits and vegetables are bred for appearance and mass production, often at the cost of flavor and nutritional value. The modern food production system tends to prioritize yield and marketability over quality and safety.
In contrast, heirloom and fixed varieties grown from saved seeds tend to be deeply rooted in their native environments, requiring little to no chemical inputs. These crops arrive at our tables in a more natural state, offering higher nutrition and greater safety. With recent deregulation in seed management laws, consumer awareness and involvement in seed selection have become increasingly important.
Choosing Seeds is Choosing the Future
The message “The seeds you choose make who you are” is not just about food—it calls on us to consider our responsibilities to the environment, society, and future generations. Promoting seed saving and preserving local varieties can enhance food security, ensure safety, and be a critical step toward sustainable agriculture.
The seeds we choose and the foods we consume are not merely personal choices—they are decisions that influence the future of our society. By understanding the importance of local and heirloom seeds and actively supporting them, we can enrich our meals and take steps toward protecting the Earth.
