ABSTRACT:
Effective Microorganisms for Sustainable Community Development:
A National Case Study of Cooperation and Co-Prosperity in North Korea for the Preservation of Environmental, Agricultural, Economic, and Cultural Integrity
Higa, Dr. Teruo: University of Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
Wood, Matthew: Sustainable Community Development, Columbia, Missouri
Compiled in Cooperation with EM Research Organization, Okinawa, Japan
In 1993 Dr. Teruo Higa (professor of horticulture at Ryukyus University in Japan) published a book titled An Earth Saving Revolution, which describes the fundamental theory and philosophy behind the agricultural practices that harness the natural phenomena of effective microorganisms (EM). The understanding, development, and technical application of EM technology evolved as a result of rigorous scientific field trials over the past three decades. EM integrates fundamental relationships of physics, chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology that are the building blocks of life and therefore, when harnessed can significantly increase the efficiency and productivity of complex systems including agricultural ecosystems. After serious, third party review in many countries, it has been determined that the implications of this new understanding of natural microbial phenomena is revolutionizing agriculture throughout the world. This revolution will take place on a scale equal to if not greater than that of the green revolution that occurred earlier in this century.
International scientific conferences on the agricultural aspect of EM technology have occurred in Thailand, Brazil, California, Indonesia, and France. International scientific conferences are already planned for the years 1999, 2000, and 2001 in South Africa, North Korea, and the former Soviet Union respectively. At these conferences, academic, research, and governmental institutions present research and case studies from over 30 countries with representative countries from every continent.
An example of how EM technology will impact future world agricultural trends can be seen by a detailed case study of North Korea. This country has been experiencing serious food shortages throughout this decade as a result of drastic decreases in agricultural productivity that began in the middle 1980’s. The North Korean government responded to this situation by sending teams of researchers and diplomats throughout the world to search for technologies and agricultural expertise that would allow them to improve their situation. Nothing they found was working to solve this problem.
Descendants of North Korean families living in Japan read Dr. Higa’s book and, in 1994, they approached Dr. Higa to acquire a sample of EM for testing. Their test results were positive. In 1996, with the cooperation of the North Korean Government, they began a 2,000 hectares test site at a farm cooperative in North Korea. With positive results, the area of farming land using EM technology was increased to 50,000 hectares in 1997. This year (2000) the government of North Korea is implementing EM technology to 100% of farming practices in the country and using over 100,000 tons of EM/year. In cooperation with the EM Research Organization in Okinawa, Japan, the government of North Korea has built many EM propagation centers, an EM research facility, and an EM technical vocational college. Data on the national agricultural yields over the last decade, before and after EM introduction, will be presented.
The situation in North Korea has not yet been shared with the world because the North Korean government has wanted to continue to be perceived as in need and therefore receive the aid of the world community. However, Dr. Higa and the scientists at the Effective Microorganisms Research Organization have had full access to North Korea and have thoroughly and scientifically documented this situation. The resulting success of EM technology will be seen by the entire world when North Korea hosts the scientific international EM conference, September 20th to 23rd, 2000, with participation from 20 countries. The fact that the isolated North Korean government is opening their country for a conference on EM technology is indeed a powerful indicator of the possibilities with EM.
As seen by the North Korean case study, the values of cooperation and co-prosperity can be the foundation for the proliferation of sustainable technologies. Private and public sectors must work together to achieve the transformation from resource depleting systems and technologies to sustainable systems and technologies. Government can actively support sustainability through legislation, funding, and education programs.
A genuinely sustainable technology must encompass long-term economic viability, natural resource regeneration, environmental aesthetic values, and respect for diverse human cultures while satisfying human food, fiber, dwelling, and educati
