I decided to become a beginner farmer

I was born and raised in a tiny town surrounded by mountains and rice fields in Fukushima, a town without trains or convenience stores.

After graduating from a vocational school majoring in childcare, I was interested in the idea of cafes being a safe space for early child caretakers, so I decided to move to Tokyo to work in a cafe and restaurant. There, I learned about organic and fair trade coffee, and I was also exposed to the ugly truth of unfairness and inequality of coffee beans trading between farmers in developing countries and buyers from all over the world.

Knowing that there are so many people out there suffering to make a living from exploitation of the coffee industry, I became more intrigued about the issue of poverty and coffee.

I wish that the tremendous effort contributed by these farmers are appreciated by all, and most importantly I wish that these farmers will be paid fairly. By eliminating poverty, there’s also hope to avoid wars. This big dream of mine stayed with me until today. 

I continued to learn more about coffee and also studied English, at one point I lived in Australia on a working holiday visa. I then moved on to Dubai and back to Tokyo working as a barista, training and developing my skills and knowledge in the field of coffee making, tasting, roasting and more. However, I realized that working as a barista made me feel disconnected with the local farmers and their livelihoods, who produced the beans that I am brewing and enjoying. Even though I’m the middle person who is responsible in connecting the producers of the beans to the consumers, I feel lost in some way. I knew that this wasn’t what I was meant to do, but fortunately I stumbled upon a great opportunity provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that enabled me to help out local coffee beans farmers in South Africa.

"So in 2020, I made the decision to go to Rwanda to witness and learn about the real conditions of the coffee bean farms and factories. "

Living in Rwanda was life-changing, it was a totally different experience that I have ever had. With every inconvenience that I encounter each time, I appreciate life even more. Seeing how the locals living their lives to the fullest made my heart warm; seeing the beauty of bare hands and nature producing food source, made all the food I ate genuinely delicious. As a volunteer there, I was in charged of ensuring fair pay of the workers and securing quality control of the coffee beans. I visited coffee washing stations in processing factories where the coffee beans are being washed and packed, collecting and analysing data, while also working with local coffee shops to develop products for tourists. Unfortunately my days in Rwanda had to end 3 months later due to the Covid-19.

"That 3 months changed my life drastically. "

After returning to Japan, my life was very much affected by the livelihoods of the local farmers, and the fire within me was still burning strongly. I wanted to continue contributing to improve the ethical standards of coffee trading, hence I started working in a coffee trading company in Japan. However even with that, the strong connection that I had with the real life situation in Rwanda was missing. 

After 5 years working in the coffee business, I came to a realization especially after experiencing Rwanda. The fact that I had the privilege to think about eliminating war and poverty through coffee was naive. The local farmers weren’t doing any of these if it wasn’t for money to put food on the table for their families. Coffee is such a luxury item for them that it was only natural that all their hard work are being shipped out to other countries and enjoyed by the majority of people in developed countries. 

"The demand for coffee came from the rich, and the supply takes on the lives of the poor. "

I finally woke up from that egoistic mindset of mine. Instead of planting coffee trees and collecting coffee beans not for themselves, will the farmers be happier and more satisfied if they’re growing fruits and vegetables that they can consume instead? Could low environmental impact agriculture path the way to heal and sustain all living things? 

Having all these questions in my head, I started to research on natural farming, regenerative agriculture, permaculture* and many more traditional and indigenous farming methods that has low carbon footprint and high contribution to food source and health of the soil and also the environment. I found the answer to all of my burning questions: Instead of protecting the welfare of the coffee industry, I should be protecting the wellbeing of the “soil”. Of course, that didn’t make me ignore everything that I have learnt about coffee. I still continue to appreciate every bean to cup, and I found a trustworthy friend to purchase beans from. 

Leaving the coffee trading job, I found myself moving back to my hometown in Fukushima. I started my life as a beginner farmer, cultivating my own farm using natural farming methods. Immersing myself in this farm that’s full of life gave me so much energy and I definitely feel more purposeful and meaningful.

"Grow vegetable, make peace"

Protecting the soil means protecting the Earth, the forest, the ocean. I wish to give my all to everything that has made me possible, returning the favour back to “life” itself. 

Opening this new chapter was a challenge but also an exciting journey. I am now currently staying in an eco-village, Svanholm in Denmark, learning closely about eco farming and sustainable living. 

After Denmark, I am planning to visit Germany and Thailand to deepen my knowledge and experience permaculture first hand. Then, I plan to return to Fukushima and continue managing my farm with all the skills and experience that I have accumulated. 

I want to share the authentic beauty of Fukushima, and not the nuclear disaster that everyone have in mind when they think about Fukushima. My goal is to build and live in a tiny house off grid*, managing my naturally grown farm, breed and take care of Japanese bees, foster rescued animals, provide a food-sharing system for caretaking facilities, build a co-working space in nature, drink coffee in the middle of the fields, repair and dye clothes with plant dyes, and so much more! The journey is endless, and I am only more excited each day to live interconnected with nature.

Welcome to my next chapter, “Do what I want to do.” 

*Permaculture:  The growth of agricultural ecosystems in a self-sufficient and sustainable way. This form of agriculture draws inspiration from nature to develop synergetic farming systems based on crop diversity, resilience, natural productivity, and sustainability.

*Off grid: not using or depending on public utilities, especially the supply of electricity.

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Picture of Manami Munakata
Manami Munakata

Manami was born in Fukushima, Japan in 1992. With an interest in coffee and poverty issues, she moved to Melbourne and then to Tokyo where she worked as a barista. Later, she went to Rwanda to aid in improving the coffee farm industry, and came back to Tokyo to work in a coffee trading company. Now, she aspires to live a low environmental impact lifestyle, and she is now currently staying at an eco-village in Denmark. She plans to come back to Fukushima next year and starts her own natural farm.
Follow Mamani on IG: @manamimunakata

Picture of Manami Munakata
Manami Munakata

Manami was born in Fukushima, Japan in 1992. With an interest in coffee and poverty issues, she moved to Melbourne and then to Tokyo where she worked as a barista. Later, she went to Rwanda to aid in improving the coffee farm industry, and came back to Tokyo to work in a coffee trading company. Now, she aspires to live a low environmental impact lifestyle, and she is now currently staying at an eco-village in Denmark. She plans to come back to Fukushima next year and starts her own natural farm.
Follow Mamani on IG: @manamimunakata

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