Shikina Nouen

Shikina Nouen began farming in the late 1970s in the Haebaru area of Katsuren, Uruma City. The surroundings, with warm temperatures and views of the sea, might look like an ideal tropical setting for agriculture. In reality, however, the strong sun, typhoons, pests and plant diseases make vegetable production challenging. Against this backdrop, the farm has remained committed to organic agriculture based on the belief that good health comes from the food we eat.

To obtain and maintain organic JAS certification, farmers must do far more than simply avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides. They must also manage fields carefully, keep detailed records and undergo regular inspections. For more than two decades, Shikina Nouen has continued to meet these standards, working in the fields day after day in intense heat and rain alike so that it can deliver safe, reliable organic vegetables.

One of the farm's hallmarks is its approach to soil making, which combines homemade compost with enzyme preparations. Fish that are landed in Okinawa but do not reach the market, along with manure from animals raised in the prefecture, are turned into compost over time. Added to this are homemade enzymes that support fermentation. As the compost matures, proteins are broken down into amino acids that plants can readily absorb, resulting in vegetables with depth of flavor and strength that cannot be achieved with chemical fertilizers alone.

Because the farm uses organic methods, work such as dealing with insects, mice and crows cannot be handled with simple sprays. Instead, the staff must rely on their own eyes and hands. The upside is that workers do not breathe in pesticides while spraying, and the vegetables that reach consumers have been grown without the use of chemical pest control. This is one of the reasons Shikina Nouen can stand behind the safety of its produce.

Today, Shikina Nouen cultivates tomatoes and mini tomatoes as its core crops, along with green beans, onions, peppers, okra, komatsuna, leaf lettuce and broccoli. Approximately five staff members manage tomato fields of around 30 ares, mini tomato fields of 13 ares and green bean fields of 20 ares, as well as other plots. The farm ships mainly to organizations that specialize in organic produce outside Okinawa, while also supplying local buyers and individual customers who appreciate its commitment to organic farming.

Looking ahead, Shikina Nouen plans to continue delivering safe, tasty vegetables that make use of Okinawa's natural environment. At the same time, the farm seeks to welcome people who are interested in environmentally friendly and organic agriculture, passing on its fields and know-how to the next generation.

Original organic farming certified under the JAS system

Shikina Nouen bases its work on the idea that a healthy body is built from the food we eat. The farm does not use chemical fertilizers or synthetic pesticides and has obtained organic JAS certification. Vegetables grown in these fields are not only safe and trustworthy but are also said to have high antioxidant power and to be rich in vitamins. The goal is to provide vegetables that support people's health in a natural way, every day.

Soil enriched by Okinawan typhoons, sea breeze and homemade compost

Okinawa is frequently hit by typhoons in summer, which can damage crops but also help cleanse the fields by blowing away pests and bringing in trace minerals from the sea. Shikina Nouen makes the most of this environment by combining it with carefully crafted soil. The farm produces its own compost using fish that do not enter the market and manure from animals raised in Okinawa, then adds homemade enzyme preparations. As the compost ferments, proteins are broken down into amino acids, creating a nutrient-rich soil that draws out the natural strength and flavor of each crop.

Hand-tended organic fields and a diverse lineup of seasonal vegetables

Because synthetic pesticides and chemical pest control agents are not used, all work related to pest and animal damage must be done by hand. The staff at Shikina Nouen spend time in the fields every day, closely observing plant conditions and carefully tending each row. Tomatoes and mini tomatoes are the flagship crops, but the farm also grows green beans, onions, peppers, okra, komatsuna mustard spinach, leaf lettuce and broccoli, so the fields look different in every season. The farm ships to organizations that handle organic produce across Japan and is also well loved by local customers.