Masanobu Fukuoka

1988 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Public Service from Japan. Masanobu Fukuoka is considered the “father of natural farming”. He does not plow his fields, nor weed them by tillage or herbicides. He does not plant seeds in tidy rows but casts them randomly upon the ground. He uses no machines, no insecticides, and no chemical fertilizers or prepared compost; he strews his rice and barley fields with straw instead. His "do nothing" farming completely contradicts modern agricultural techniques. Yet his untidy farm yields grain and fruits just as abundantly as high-technology farms, often more so, and a rich mix of hearty vegetables besides. His method offers farmers extra leisure. It requires no expensive inputs. It creates no pollution. Moreover, it is profitable. Fukuoka’s chemical-free produce is highly prized by health-conscious consumers.

The 1978 English edition of his famous book “The One-Straw Revolution” awakened interest elsewhere. Students, scientists, and agricultural workers from around the world visited his farm. He had spread his message personally to North America, Europe, and Africa. India received him as a prophet. His low-technology, nature-sensitive practices offer hope to India's poorest farmers and, as Fukuoka feels strongly, are in harmony with its Gandhian spirit. Fukuoka has written many other provocative books such as, "The Natural Way of Farming", "The Theory and Practice of Green Philosophy", "The Road Back to Nature", "The God Revolution", and other important publications.