The international conference on EM Technology and Nature Farming in North Korea, Sept 2000 [photos on EMRO site] was very interesting!

It was most valuable to see firsthand the infrastructure necessary to use EM on 1.5 million hectares of crop production (current amount as of 2000). The North Koreans have reduced chemical inputs on this land by up to 50% in many places at a financial savings of more than 30%. They expect to have comparable yields with increases in some places. The soil is very obviously improving with EM methods!

The research with effective microorganisms presented by the North Korean scientists was world-class. Their understanding of the microbial and biochemical processes with EM are some of the best I have seen. They have developed and adopted EM production technology that is custom-suited for their geographical region and resource-base. I hope to assist in making these research reports available to international EM community.

International scientific conferences on the agricultural aspect of EM technology have also occurred in Thailand, Brazil, California, Indonesia, France and New Zealand.

North Korea is well positioned for being a world model in sustainable agricultural production in the next decade, coming from one of the worst to one of the best. Now they are making plans to process all urban solid organic waste and waste water using EM, and integrate into agricultural production to further increase efficiency and decrease costs.

At the conference I spoke at length with Linda Bullard (President of IFOAM-International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements) and Herve Le Prairie (Former President of IFOAM) about North Korea as a model and the realistic potential to become 100% certifiable organic. Apparently there has been talk for some time of an international coalition to assist some country, like Cuba, to become a model of 100% organic production. However, it seems that with the EM infrastructure already in place in North Korea, it may be a better candidate. One challenge will be for the North Koreans to recognize and understand the value and significance in the international community of 100% organic production.

Of course, the #1 objective at this time for North Korea is to produce enough food to sustain their population. Some of the representative from their National Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Agriculture, who have been involved with EM since 1994, indicated that they expect to have surplus grain production next year, thanks to EM methods.

The implications of Dr. Teruo Higa's work and the effects of EM on North Korea's stability are impressive. Dr. Higa deserves international recognition for his behind-the-scenes work in opening the isolated North Korea by helping them to feel a greater sense of stability. Based on discussions with Dr. Higa, North Koreans and others, it is clear to me that the rapid development of EM in North Korea and the concurrent improved relations between North Korea and South Korea, Japan and the United States is not coincidental.

We toured the facilities of the new International Friendship Institute for EM Technology and the Effective Microorganisms Research Center. Again, very impressive.

Other research presented was also very impressive. Dr. Konoplya from the National Academy of Radiobiology in Belarus gave detailed analysis and proof of the positive effects of EM on nuclear fallout from Chernobyl. Also, worthy of mention is the presentations by Mr. Wididana, Director of Natural Resources for Bali Island, Indonesia. His team is organizing full waste and production integration throughout the entire island utilizing EM Technology.