Masanobu Fukuoka (2 February 1913 – 16 August 2008) was a Japanese microbiologist and philosopher renowned for pioneering the “shizen nōhō,” or “natural farming,” method, which he often described as the ‘do-nothing’ approach.

Initial research career

Initially beginning his career as a researcher, Fukuoka felt a profound disconnection from modern society. This sentiment prompted a transformative spiritual experience one night, during which he realized that the world, as perceived, was a mental construct with no inherent reality.

This awakening led him to embark on a quest for meaning and construct a life akin to a utopia.

The natural farming approach

Fukuoka founded his own farm, committing himself to self-sufficiency through the exclusive use of natural methods. His innovative approach involved minimal human intervention and eschewed modern machinery, fossil fuels, fertilizers, and chemicals.

Remarkably, despite these unconventional practices, his rice yields rivaled Japan’s most productive farms. Fukuoka’s life and work left an indelible mark, inspiring others to reconsider the harmony between humanity and nature in pursuing sustainable living.