Although it is a warm winter, the wheat fields are sprouting as usual.

Last year, weeds grew and the yield dropped significantly.

This year, we repeated weeding and tilling in the fall to prevent that from happening.

Actually,

The purpose was to expose the dug-up roots to the hot summer sun and cause them to wither.

I couldn't catch up with the work and it was already autumn.

Still, the recommended varieties that have been carefully cultivated in Iwate Prefecture for a long time are Nanbu wheat and Ginga Chikara wheat.

I sincerely hope that you will do your best and have a successful harvest.

No weeds have sprouted yet.

The other day, when I was looking at a magazine, I noticed that there was a shop in Arikabe in nearby Miyagi Prefecture.

Hagino Sake Brewery, located near Arikabe Honjin, was listed.

Although it is a small brewery, the sake is carefully made and very delicious.

We have had a relationship for a long time.

When you read the article,

“For the first time in 22 years, a new type of rice suitable for sake brewing has been born in Miyagi Prefecture, which is famous for sake.”

There it was.

I'm looking forward to trying sake from my favorite brewery.

I think it is very important to develop, preserve, and popularize varieties unique to prefectures and regions.

So, I have some concerns.

The Seed Law, which had protected the seeds that form the basis of Japan's food, was abolished in 2018.

(It seems that the decision was made quietly without much deliberation in the Diet.

(The media didn't cover it much either.)

It seems that 23 prefectures have now come to an agreement so that they can continue as usual, based on prefectural ordinances that have sensed the crisis.

However,

In the background, a bill to revise the Seeds and Seeds Act is about to be approved by the Diet.

What does that mean?

To put it very simply, it includes super major foreign companies.

Surrender all seeds to private companies

The law also prohibits farmers from collecting the seeds themselves and propagating them through cuttings.

Is it true.

It doesn't seem to be happening right away, but gradually.

It looks like it's going to be scary.

Of course, we use Nambu wheat from Iwate Prefecture, sake rice from Miyagi, etc.

I am very anxious about what lies ahead.

Is it okay to leave food seeds, the source of life, to the marketism of multinational corporations?

Isn't it possible to listen to the opinions of a wider range of people?

Shizu Hashimoto