NorBunkyo and PalSystem Jointly Plan: Let's Talk Now About 'Rice and Farmers'
PalSystem Consumers' Co-operative Union and Norbunkyo (Association of Rural Culture) jointly held a seminar titled "What We Want to Know Now: Stories of Rice and Farmers" in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Rice farmers and a journalist discussed changes and concerns since the "Reiwa Rice Crisis," including fair prices, farmer shortages, and the importance of producer-consumer connections.
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PalSystem Consumers' Co-operative Union (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Atsuyuki Shibusawa) held a joint seminar with the Association of Rural Culture (NorBunkyo, Headquarters: Toda City, Saitama Prefecture; President: Masahiro Kusumoto) titled "What We Want to Know Now: Stories of Rice and Farmers" on Saturday, March 28th, in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Rice farmers and a journalist were invited to discuss changes and concerns since the "Reiwa Rice Crisis."
### What is the "Fair Price" for Producers and Buyers?
The seminar "What We Want to Know Now: Stories of Rice and Farmers" was a joint project planned to commemorate the release of a book of the same name by NorBunkyo in January and as a reader exchange event for PalSystem's information magazine "Nonbiru." A total of 61 people participated both at the venue and online.
Speakers included two rice farmers, Masatoshi Kanno from Fukushima Prefecture and Yukihiko Shigitani from Niigata Prefecture, as well as rice journalist Riri Tani, who shared the honest opinions of farmers. Topics ranged from the fair price of rice for both producers and consumers, the value of rice paddies beyond just rice production, and the relationship between people living in rural production areas and urban consumption areas.
### The Final Step is for Consumers to "Cook"
Mr. Shigitani, speaking from the perspective of a rice producer, asserted that the "Reiwa Rice Crisis," ongoing since 2024, is fundamentally caused by a shortage of farmers. Regarding the current situation where small-scale farmers, who still support rice production, are leaving the industry, he stated, "Rice is said to require 'eighty-eight' steps of effort. Of these, the last 87 steps are 'washing' and the 88th is 'cooking,' which I see as a relay connecting to the eater." He expressed the idea that the connection between producers and consumers is indispensable for maintaining production.
Mr. Kanno, sharing his experience of the nuclear accident in Fukushima Prefecture in 2011, introduced the "Terraced Rice Paddy Owner System," which connects producers and consumers through agricultural experiences. He said, "What helped us overcome both the nuclear accident and abnormal weather was the 'power of the community' through mutual aid. Now, by opening up these communities and allowing citizens who don't usually live there to participate, we are trying to maintain agricultural land. Farmers alone can no longer preserve agricultural land," expressing a sense of crisis.
### Lunch Exchange Over Onigiri
Responding to the farmers' stories, Ms. Tani called on participants, saying, "When you visit a production area, you realize how much you don't know about the nature of rice, the role of rice paddies, and even traditional events derived from rice cultivation. Knowing each of these values is about 'enjoying' them. Let's become 'good eaters' by visiting production areas, or if you can't, by choosing and buying, and by learning through books."
After the seminar, speakers and participants mingled over lunch at the venue. They enjoyed onigiri made from rice cultivated by Mr. Shigitani and Mr. Kanno. Participants, while eating onigiri, asked questions about their daily lives and cultivation practices, deepening their discussion on the current state and future of rice production.
--- Book "I
Keywords: PalSystem, Rice, Farmer, Agriculture, Journalist, Producer, Production Area, NorBunkyo, Co-op, Home Delivery
### What is the "Fair Price" for Producers and Buyers?
The seminar "What We Want to Know Now: Stories of Rice and Farmers" was a joint project planned to commemorate the release of a book of the same name by NorBunkyo in January and as a reader exchange event for PalSystem's information magazine "Nonbiru." A total of 61 people participated both at the venue and online.
Speakers included two rice farmers, Masatoshi Kanno from Fukushima Prefecture and Yukihiko Shigitani from Niigata Prefecture, as well as rice journalist Riri Tani, who shared the honest opinions of farmers. Topics ranged from the fair price of rice for both producers and consumers, the value of rice paddies beyond just rice production, and the relationship between people living in rural production areas and urban consumption areas.
### The Final Step is for Consumers to "Cook"
Mr. Shigitani, speaking from the perspective of a rice producer, asserted that the "Reiwa Rice Crisis," ongoing since 2024, is fundamentally caused by a shortage of farmers. Regarding the current situation where small-scale farmers, who still support rice production, are leaving the industry, he stated, "Rice is said to require 'eighty-eight' steps of effort. Of these, the last 87 steps are 'washing' and the 88th is 'cooking,' which I see as a relay connecting to the eater." He expressed the idea that the connection between producers and consumers is indispensable for maintaining production.
Mr. Kanno, sharing his experience of the nuclear accident in Fukushima Prefecture in 2011, introduced the "Terraced Rice Paddy Owner System," which connects producers and consumers through agricultural experiences. He said, "What helped us overcome both the nuclear accident and abnormal weather was the 'power of the community' through mutual aid. Now, by opening up these communities and allowing citizens who don't usually live there to participate, we are trying to maintain agricultural land. Farmers alone can no longer preserve agricultural land," expressing a sense of crisis.
### Lunch Exchange Over Onigiri
Responding to the farmers' stories, Ms. Tani called on participants, saying, "When you visit a production area, you realize how much you don't know about the nature of rice, the role of rice paddies, and even traditional events derived from rice cultivation. Knowing each of these values is about 'enjoying' them. Let's become 'good eaters' by visiting production areas, or if you can't, by choosing and buying, and by learning through books."
After the seminar, speakers and participants mingled over lunch at the venue. They enjoyed onigiri made from rice cultivated by Mr. Shigitani and Mr. Kanno. Participants, while eating onigiri, asked questions about their daily lives and cultivation practices, deepening their discussion on the current state and future of rice production.
--- Book "I
Keywords: PalSystem, Rice, Farmer, Agriculture, Journalist, Producer, Production Area, NorBunkyo, Co-op, Home Delivery