The Global Farmer Network® (GFN®) recognized Japanese farmer Shuichi Tokumoto as the recipient of the 2024 GFN Kleckner Global Farm Leader Award at a networking reception hosted by the Global Farmer Network and CropLife International on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the Des Moines Embassy Club, Des Moines, Iowa.
Along with other guests, in attendance were GFN members: Mary Boote, USA; Reg Clause, USA; Bill Couser, USA; Judith de Vor, Netherlands; Gina Gutierrez, Mexico; Mark Heckman, USA; Patience Koku, Nigeria and Stella Thomas, Nigeria to celebrate Shuichi.
“I am a farmer, as well as a singer. These are my strengths. The virtues of agriculture can be interesting to the general public. Therefore, I believe that we need to use the power of music to attract more attention from society,” says Tokumoto.
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Tokumoto produces rice, azuki beans, and buckwheat on 110 hectares in Southern Japan. His operation is environmentally friendly, using genetically modified seeds and sustainable practices. One of these newer practices is no-till farming which provides many environmental benefits – something he finds so important that he made a new music video called NO-TILL. Tokumoto believes the soil is equally as important as the crops, and that farmers should care for their land. Including no-till farming in his video was important to him, as he looks forward to reaching broader audiences, inside and outside agriculture.
Shuichi’s career path took a unique route, first as a firefighter, singer, and IT company owner before eventually finding his way to agriculture. As he began to build his farm, he also recognized a clear need to tell his story to the world by creating a YouTube channel, Tree & Norf. Three years ago, he launched his first music video, “I am a Farmer” to share his journey and passion as a Japanese Farmer, and since that time, his channel and passion for using music to tell his story has only grown.
The GFN Kleckner Global Farm Leader Award recognizes individuals who exemplify strong leadership, vision, and resolve in advancing the rights of all farmers to choose the technology and tools that will improve the quality, quantity, and availability of agricultural products worldwide. As a farmer using YouTube to share his story, Tokumoto was the perfect farmer to award this prestigious honor to in 2024.
“The GFN is filled with exciting, innovative leaders, and yet Shuichi stands out. The Kleckner Global Farm Leader Award is our way to introduce him to the world. The World Food Prize events help us shine a very bright light on the farming leaders taking global agriculture forward,” says GFN Board Chairman Reg Clause. “I wish everyone could meet this young man,” he adds.
Tokumoto has been a member of the Global Farmer Network since 2023. Upon joining the GFN, he has connected with other members to learn from them, which ignited his passion to learn more about no-till farming. Upon returning home after his participation at the Global Farmer Network Roundtable and Communication Training program in February 2023, Tokumoto founded the Japan Biotech Crops Network (JBCN), an organization of farmers who practice truly sustainable agriculture by properly utilizing the latest technology, including biotechnology in agriculture.
This year’s Kleckner Global Farm Leader Award is sponsored by BASF, a valued partner to the Global Farmer Network. Scott Kohne, Global Head of Market Acceptance at BASF, shared the organization was happy to sponsor Shuichi as this year’s award recipient: “BASF is proud to sponsor the 2024 GFN Kleckner Global Farm Leader Award because we deeply value our long-standing partnership with the Global Farmer Network. We believe that the voices of farmers are vital in advocating for innovative technologies that enhance agricultural practices. By supporting this award, we aim to empower farmers like Shuichi Tokumoto who exemplify the innovative spirit needed to increase the quality, quantity, and availability of agricultural products worldwide.”
“Shuichi’s journey is truly inspiring, as it beautifully illustrates the intersection of creativity, compassion, and visionary thinking in agriculture. It is this blend of heart and resolve that makes Shuichi a deserving recipient of the Kleckner Global Farm Leader Award,” he adds.
This prestigious award has been given out annually since 2007, in honor of the late Dean Kleckner, Chairman Emeritus of the Global Farmer Network. Previous recipients can be found on the Global Farmer Network website. Tokumoto has a goal to be the world’s most influential farmer and believes this award will continue to help him on his path to accomplish that. “The award is heartening because it provides me with new opportunities to tell my story as well as the stories of other farmers. As people better understand who farmers are and what we do, the better positioned we’ll be to grow the food that the world needs,” says Tokumoto.
