IPSI Case Study Summary Sheet
Please submit this form along with your case study. We ask that you keep your responses here asconcise as possible. This information will be posted on the IPSI website unless otherwise requested.
Please inform the IPSI Secretariat if there are any responses you would not like made public.

Basic Information
Title of case study (should be concise and within approximately 25 words)
Restoring Biodiversity through a Natural Agriculture Landscape Approach
Submitting IPSI member organization(s)Shumei International
Other contributing organization(s) (IPSI members and/or non-members)
Shumei Natural Agriculture Network
Author(s) and affiliation(s)Kenji Sakai and Alice Cunningham, Shumei International
Format of case study (manuscript or audiovisual) Manuscript
Language
Keywords (3-5 key concepts included in the case study)
Satoyama landscape, agriculture, rice paddies, biodiversity, indigenous species
Date of submission (or update, if this is an update of an existing case study)
February 14, 2022
Web link (of the case study or lead organization if
https://shumei-international.org/

Englishavailable for more information)

Geographical Information
Country (where site(s) or activities described in the case study are located – can be multiple, or even “global”)
JapanLocation(s) (within the country or countries – leave blank if specific location(s) cannot be identified)
Shiga, Japan
Latitude/longitude or Google Maps link (if location is identified)
Shiga Prefecture
Ecosystem(s) (please place an “x” in all appropriate boxes)
ForestX
Grassland
AgriculturalX
In-land waterX
CoastalDryland
Mountain
X
Urban/peri-urban
Other (Please specify)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area (within 49/50 words)
Shiga Prefecture is home to Japan’s largest freshwater lake and more than 1.4 million people. The population
has increased due to the growing manufacturing and technology industry. Forest covers 60% of the land andcultivation accounts for only 1/6th of the economy with most farmlands being small rice fields.
Description of human-nature interactions in the area (land-use, traditional resource management practices etc. – within
45/50 words)

Shiga inhabitants have lived in harmony with Lake Biwa and the surrounding areas for centuries, which holds
cultural and spiritual significance. The existence of rice paddy farming helps in preserving the rich biodiversity
in the area, providing habitats for insects, birds, fish, and other creatures.

ContentsNote: The following fields are used for information about activities described in the case study or the production of the case study itself,and contents may vary depending on the nature of the case study. For example, a case study about on-the-ground activities may include
the rationale, objectives etc. for the activities; a case study about a SEPLS-related policy may describe the policymaking process; or acase study describing a SEPLS may address particular practices used there. Please make an effort to fill as many fields as possible.

Status (“ongoing” or “completed”)
ongoing
Period (MM/YY to MM/YY)
4/97 to present
Rationale (why activities or policies described, or information shared in the case study are needed – within 46/50 words)
Due to an aging population, youth migration to urban areas and transition to industrial agriculture, thetraditional practice of cultivating rice paddies has been declining in Japan, resulting in a loss of cultural heritage
and rich biodiversity. As the wetlands are abandoned, the ecosystem is affected.
Objectives (goals of activities or policies described, or of producing the case study – within 46/50 words)
Shumei established Shigaraki No Sato, a demonstration farm, to introduce Natural Agriculture - an approach tofood production and a way of life in harmony with nature that encourages minimum intervention in thegrowing process, which brings multiple benefits to the land and the local community.
Activities and/or practices employed (within 49/50 words)

The 6-acre farm includes terraced rice paddies, vegetable and tea fields, and two traditional Japanese
farmhouses. It serves as a training facility to showcase seed saving and how to farm in harmony with Nature.
The farmers cultivate the land using the Natural Agriculture approach and maintain the surrounding forest.
Results (within 47/50 words)
Introducing Natural Agriculture to the farmland was effective in revitalizing the ecosystem and bringing backlocal insect and plant species to the area. In addition, farmers in other parts of Japan are introducing theNatural Agriculture approach to restore biodiversity in abandoned farmlands, particularly rice paddies.
Lessons learned (factors in success or failure, challenges and opportunities – within 40/40 words)
 Taking care of the landscape surrounding farms, such as forests, is important to revitalizing theecosystem
 Avoiding additives and chemicals in the growing process helps cultivate a deeper connection with
Nature and a holistic approach to restore biodiversity and community
Key messages (within 40/40 words)
 Natural Agriculture promotes a renewed relationship between farmers, the land and the community Natural Agriculture teaches farmers and consumers an overriding respect for Nature rather than trying
to control it Harmony with Nature creates the conditions for biodiversity to flourish
Relationship to other IPSI activities (if the case study is related to any other IPSI collaborative activities, case studies, etc.)
NAFunding (any relevant information about funding of activities or projects described in the case study)
Self-FundedContributions to Global Agendas
CBD Aichi Biodiversity Targets (https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/)
Please place an “x” in the “direct” or “indirect” boxes next to any of the CBD’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets to which the work describedin this case study contributes as appropriate. Note: please mark only those that the case actually has made or is making acontribution, not those to which it could make a potential contribution in the future.
TargetDescription
DirectIndirectBy 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take toconserve and use it sustainably.

xBy 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been integrated into national and local
development and poverty reduction strategies and planning processes and are being incorporated
into national accounting, as appropriate, and reporting systems.

x

By 2020, at the latest, incentives, including subsidies, harmful to biodiversity are eliminated,phased out or reformed in order to minimize or avoid negative impacts, and positive incentives forthe conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity are developed and applied, consistent and inharmony with the Convention and other relevant international obligations, taking into accountnational socio economic conditions.
By 2020, at the latest, Governments, business and stakeholders at all levels have taken steps toachieve or have implemented plans for sustainable production and consumption and have kept theimpacts of use of natural resources well within safe ecological limits.
By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where
feasible brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced.

xxx

By 2020 all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic plants are managed and harvested sustainably,
legally and applying ecosystem based approaches, so that overfishing is avoided, recovery plans
and measures are in place for all depleted species, fisheries have no significant adverse impacts on
threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems and the impacts of fisheries on stocks, species andecosystems are within safe ecological limits.
By 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuringconservation of biodiversity.

By 2020, pollution, including from excess nutrients, has been brought to levels that are not
detrimental to ecosystem function and biodiversity.

By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritized, priority species arecontrolled or eradicated, and measures are in place to manage pathways to prevent theirintroduction and establishment.
By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs, and other vulnerable ecosystems
impacted by climate change or ocean acidification are minimized, so as to maintain their integrity
and functioning.

xxx

By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine
areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, areconserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and wellconnected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, andintegrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes.
By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation
status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained.

By 2020, the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and ofwild relatives, including other socio-economically as well as culturally valuable species, ismaintained, and strategies have been developed and implemented for minimizing genetic erosion
and safeguarding their genetic diversity.
By 2020, ecosystems that provide essential services, including services related to water, andcontribute to health, livelihoods and well-being, are restored and safeguarded, taking into accountthe needs of women, indigenous and local communities, and the poor and vulnerable.
By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks has beenenhanced, through conservation and restoration, including restoration of at least 15 per cent ofdegraded ecosystems, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and tocombating desertification.

xxxxx

By 2015, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharingof Benefits Arising from their Utilization is in force and operational, consistent with nationallegislation.
By 2015 each Party has developed, adopted as a policy instrument, and has commenced
implementing an effective, participatory and updated national biodiversity strategy and action
plan.

x

By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities
relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use ofbiological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international
obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with thefull and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels.
By 2020, knowledge, the science base and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values,functioning, status and trends, and the consequences of its loss, are improved, widely shared andtransferred, and applied.
By 2020, at the latest, the mobilization of financial resources for effectively implementing theStrategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 from all sources, and in accordance with the consolidated
and agreed process in the Strategy for Resource Mobilization, should increase substantially fromthe current levels. This target will be subject to changes contingent to resource needs assessments
to be developed and reported by Parties.

xx

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs)
Please place an “x” in the “direct” or “indirect” boxes next to any of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to which the work
described in this case study contributes as appropriate. Note: please mark only those that the case actually has made or is making acontribution, not those to which it could make a potential contribution in the future.
SDG
Description
DirectIndirect

End poverty in all its forms everywhere
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainableagriculturexx

Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all agesxEnsure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for allx

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girlsx

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for allx

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment, and decent work for allx

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, andfoster innovation
Reduce inequality within and among countries

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainablex

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patternsxTake urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
xConserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable
development
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably
manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, andhalt biodiversity lossx

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide accessto justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levelsxStrengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership forsustainable developmentx