[Ukyo in Action] Sukoyaka Sagano Farm
Interviewers/Authors: Hikaru Sasaki, Yuria Nishimura
Mr. Yoshihiro Imai (Manager)
Sukoyaka Sagano Farm is an agricultural experience farm located in Sagahirosawa, Ukyo-ku. Unlike ordinary citizens’ farms, where you can freely farm by renting small plots, this is a farm where you can experience consistent farming from planting to harvesting under the guidance of the farmer. Seedlings, fertilizers, and tools are all provided by the farm and Mr. Imai, who is an agricultural expert, gives careful guidance so beginners can join without worry. This farm focuses on growing vegetables without pesticides, and uses organic farming techniques, so it is possible to harvest safe and delicious vegetables. In addition, the farm is used by participants of all ages from children to adults, as a platform for local people to interact with each other and grow vegetables together.
― How long have you been working at Sukoyaka Sagano Farm?
Mr. Imai: I have been working here for 6 years since 2015.
― What is your main job or role at Sukoyaka Sagano Farm?
Mr. Imai: In addition to our traditional farm work of selling harvested vegetables to supermarkets, we try to contribute to the local area by broadening the roles of farmers as I suppose that is the future of farming. For instance, we provide guidance to local people on farm work to help them learn about agriculture. We also grow rice in Nantan City and Kameoka City and besides Sukoyaka Sagano Farm, there are fields in the Kameoka and Kisshoin areas. We are also working with university teachers to develop new vegetables.
― Please tell me about your daily work at Sukoyaka Sagano Farm.
Mr. Imai: My son oversees administration duties for the farm, and I mainly manage the fields, giving advice on planting and harvesting to those who come out for the agriculture experience. We also decide what vegetables to grow and the amount to grow. We plan for our farms in each season and provide advice on how well each person is taking care of his or her own plots, so that people can share the joy of harvesting.
― Do you think Sukoyaka Sagano Farm has a special role in the lives of Ukyo-ku and Ukyo-ku residents?
Mr. Imai: My role is to help people return to the basics of learning how vegetables are produced. Since this area is close to the city center, there are many people who are not so familiar with agriculture and its developments. So, my role is to provide such people with firsthand experience of the natural growth of vegetables, so that they can gain knowledge about agriculture, and to share knowledge with others, so that people of all ages can communicate and make connections through farming. The role of Sukoyaka Sagano Farm is to create a fun community for people to participate in such activities.
― What role do you hope to play in your community in the future?
Mr. Imai: I believe that the activities we are carrying out today will help us to be more responsible to the local community. We have contributed in many ways, and I think we are spreading the basic ideas of what can be done through agriculture.
― What age group of people participate in the farming experience? Also, do you have any ideas to invite people of other ages to participate in this farming experience?
Mr. Imai: There are participants of all ages joining this farm experience. There are many people with parents and children. However, recently due to the influence of COVID-19, some university students began participating with their friends on holidays, as well as volunteers from Kodomo Shokudo (a special restaurant for children in need) to provide healthy food for their menus. For elderly people, there are those who want to be out in the sun once a day, or those who want to just take a walk in the fields. They can gather to meet their needs. We also have become involved with the curriculum of local kindergartens and elementary schools. We encourage all who are interested to learn more about our programs through our website and pamphlets.
― What do you want the participants to learn the most through the farming experience?
Mr. Imai: I would like people to learn more about agriculture and enjoy farming based on this knowledge. Furthermore, I hope that more people can experience how delicious organic vegetables are, and that eating them will lead to a wholesome and healthy life.
― What kind of vegetables do you grow at Sukoyaka Sagano Farm? Are you planning to grow new or rare kinds of vegetables in the future?
Mr. Imai: I am always looking for new vegetables to be able to grow. We also receive requests about new vegetables from people who participate in the Sukoyaka Sagano Farm, so we sometimes choose the vegetables to grow in response to those requests. We have grown more than 50 kinds of vegetables so far. Kyoto has a variety of original vegetables called Kyo-Yasai (Kyoto vegetables) and continues to develop new varieties. I think it will be our new challenge to grow these on the farm.
― How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect Sukoyaka Sagano Farm?
Mr. Imai: Due to the COVID-19 situation, gathering at a farm is different from before and we need to be careful. We ask participants to wear masks and face shields, and to disinfect their hands. At the same time, we try to avoid crowded situations; for example, we provide several guidance sessions in smaller groups. On the other hand, there are more people who want to take up farming as a hobby to possibly escape from working remotely. On the farm they can relax and be rejuvenated by working in nature. So, I think we have created a place for people to be with their families and interact with others in a healthy way.
― If you could connect with Sukoyaka Sagano Farm overseas, what would you like to teach people overseas?
Mr. Imai: There are about 150 farms across Japan that offer agricultural experiences, and they are mainly in Tokyo as the network of farms expanded after the decision was made to host the Olympics. International visitors to Japan can try out Japanese agriculture as part of a sightseeing activity and experience our high-quality and delicious vegetables which we are very proud of. Currently, there are three international people who participate in the farm program: two are from France and one is from Germany. We teach them how to take care of crops and how to harvest them using farming methods that suit Japan’s climate and soil. They get excited to talk about how to cook and eat vegetables with others without caring about their cultural differences. I hope that this will be a place for them to learn more about Japan and its food culture.
