AI-generated image illustrating a Japanese volunteer teaching natural home gardening methods in rural El Salvador.
Based on reporting from Diario El Salvador
Some stories begin quietly, like a seed landing in good soil.
The story of Haruna Fukuoka, a Japanese volunteer with the Japan International Cooperation Agency program, is one of those. For over a year, she has been visiting communities in Apastepeque, in northern San Vicente, teaching families how to grow tomatoes, peppers, onions, and cucumbers in their own home gardens.
What began as a technical project gradually became something more meaningful. It turned into a shared experience—learning together, building friendships, and finding ways to make daily meals healthier and more affordable without relying on chemicals or long trips to buy vegetables.
The Philosophy Behind Her Method: Natural Farming
The article does not state it directly, but Haruna Fukuoka shares both her name and her approach with Masanobu Fukuoka, the well-known Japanese farmer who developed natural farming, often called “do-nothing agriculture.”
There is no public confirmation that they are related. However, his influence is clear, especially since many JICA volunteers are trained in these methods before working abroad.
Natural farming is built on four key principles:
- No chemicals: no pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers
- No tilling: preserving the natural structure of the soil
- Minimal pruning: allowing plants to grow naturally
- No indiscriminate removal of “weeds”: many act as natural ground cover
Haruna adapts these ideas into practical methods that Salvadoran families can use—especially those who have traditionally relied on chemicals for crops like corn, beans, and sugarcane.
How She Grows Without Chemicals: Practical Methods That Work
Based on the article and common JICA home-garden practices, these are the techniques families are now using:
1. Homemade Compost
Families create their own organic fertilizer using:
- Kitchen scraps (fruit and vegetable peels)
- Dry leaves
- Wood ash
- Cow or chicken manure (when available)
This replaces the need for chemical fertilizers entirely.
2. Saving Seeds and Natural Selection
Haruna encourages families to save seeds from their best crops. This leads to:
- Independence from outside suppliers
- Plants are better adapted to local conditions.
- Lower household costs
As she puts it: “I will return to Japan, so I want them to continue always.”
3. Companion Planting
While not specifically mentioned in the article, this is a common JICA technique:
- Tomato + basil (helps repel pests)
- Cucumber + corn (provides shade and support)
- Onion + pepper (mutual protection)
These combinations reduce the need for pesticides.
4. Mulching to Protect the Soil
Families cover the soil with:
- Straw
- Dry leaves
- Plant trimmings
This helps retain moisture, prevent erosion, and improve soil health.
5. Natural Pest Control
Simple, low-cost methods include:
- Water mixed with potassium soap.
- Garlic-and-chili infusions
- Yellow sticky traps for insects
- Repellent plants like rue or rosemary
These are safe, affordable, and effective for small gardens.
A Project That Changes Lives
Families involved in the project say it clearly—they had never grown vegetables without chemicals before.
Now, they are harvesting tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers “without chemical poison,” as one participant proudly explained.
There is also a financial benefit. A single trip to town to buy vegetables can cost up to $10 round trip—an expense many rural families can avoid by growing their own food.
The Human Side: Learning, Sharing, Gratitude
Haruna’s work goes beyond agriculture.
She listens, shares meals, learns Spanish, and becomes part of the communities she serves. Many families told her, “This is your home,” something that deeply moved her.
She has embraced Salvadoran culture as well—enjoying soups, pupusas, sweet corn tamales, and horchata, a drink she had never encountered in Japan.
Although she plans to return home in November, her goal is to leave something lasting.
That is why she has already begun expanding her work into Brisas del Carmen and hopes to reach even more communities before she leaves.
A Closing That Feels Like a Harvest
At a closing ceremony in La Loma, families proudly displayed their tomatoes, peppers, seedlings, and saved seeds ready for the next planting.
It was more than a presentation—it was a moment of pride, accomplishment, and hope.
Haruna Fukuoka leaves behind more than a gardening method. She leaves behind a new way of thinking about the land, food, and self-reliance.
It is a reminder that when we grow our own food, we are also growing something deeper—our dignity, our independence, and our connection to the earth.
Thank you for joining me in exploring life here in El Salvador. If you enjoy these stories, please like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected.
Please check out my book, Harmony of the Cosmos, available on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Harmony+of+the+Cosmos+Hugh+Conway+Talley
Consigue la edición en español en Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GXXK4FKX
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