520.4
Organic Farming, Consumers and ”Teikei” in Japan: Focusing on the Influence By the Nuclear Plant Accident
After the accident, farmers were restricted to sell contaminated products, and even if not contaminated, the fear restrained consumers from purchase. The heavier organic customers one is, the more sensitive was her/his reaction to products from affected area, and the economic damage of organic farmers was severe. It was ironical that the food industry and local people supported affected farmers at the critical stage.
Consumers and farmers of teikei groups held study meetings jointly to understand the situation, and such meetings were opened to general consumers, too. Among un-affected consumer groups, the number of members increased, which shows the reliability of Teikei was reevaluated.
Many consumer groups did some kinds of special supports, but continuing the relationship was also the support. Consumers went to farmers’ fields to help farm work, and one group sued nearby nuclear plant to stop the operation. Feelings of mutual help and solidarity encourage the affected farmers, and also give deep learning to consumers.
Teikei is shrinking in Japan while “Community Supported Agriculture” is growing worldwide. Conventionally, teikei relied on voluntary work of women (especially for consumer side). Such style become difficult to maintain, and Teikei is now shifting to individual based one using parcel delivery service. Serious divergence between farmers (rural) and consumers (urban) in the consuming society is the cause and the result of the accident. Social consensus and broad straggle to get out of such divergence, learning from the experiences of teikei, need to be sought seriously and not to reopen the nuclear plant.