Japan: Gose

About the local hosting organization

This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities),organized with Sugiura Farm since 2017 that engages in organic farming for pursuing food safety and an environmental-friendly society. The owner of this farm is Mr. Sugiura, who is the only a man taking care of 2 hectares of farmland abandoned by local people. The local people became too old to keep working on the farm. Mr. Sugiura cultivates, harvests crops, even makes fertilizer and processes the harvest into products. He is working not only for crops, but also for conserving the environment and the beautiful scenery of living fields in the countryside of Japan.

Presentation of the programme

Volunteers will engaged in terraced rice field conservation and pesticide-free agriculture in the devastated mountainous areas. 1) Management and harvesting of organic vegetables and rice. 2) Crop production in terraced rice paddies. 3) Restoration of deserted terraced rice paddies and abandoned farmland. 4) Planning and management of events to promote organic crops.

About the accomodation

Volunteers stay at an old Japanese house next to the local host's. The kitchen and shower are shared with the local host. Volunteers cook by themselves. Smoking is not allowed. A cat and dog is kept around the house.

About the location

It is located in Gose city, Nara pref. which is about 50 km southeast of Osaka. Other activities - Join the local events, many opportunities to learn the local wisdom, etc. Sightseeing, short trip (hot springs, temples and shrines).

Requirements

High motivation to learn and speak Japanese language, to work hard with simple mountain life in a remote area. Respect for the local culture and way of the local organization. Interests in agriculture.