Let's support mandarin farming in edge of peninsula!

Ikata(Ehime) / More than 1 month(anytime)

Volunteer information
Code NICE-LI-IK21
Project name Ikata
Location Ehime
Periond More than 1 month(anytime)
Type Environment/Agriculture
Capacity Max. 2 volunteers
Background This project is actively working for SDG2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGS15 (Life on Land). This project has been organized with Kikuya Community Group (KCG), formed by the local young people to think of the future of their small village. Ikata is famous for its main industry of mandarins farming, but has been facing depopulation, lack of workers and aging society since most of young people leave the town. So, the number of abandoned mandarin farms is increasing and the town is losing its tradition, life, custom and scenery. KCG strongly hopes to host vols. to work together to animate the town and revive the farms.
*The activity Blog(Only Japanese)
Outcome As this project has continued over 10 years, international vols. not only worked at farm but also visited local elementary school and introduced their culture as a international education.
Work Volunteers will help mandarin farming (It is the main work!! Harvesting, taking care of trees, cutting grass etc., it depend on season! Especially, Nov. to April. is hard!!), support local youth club (If you have chance), and create new activities to animate the town.
Location In the edge of Sata Peninsula, surrounded by the sea, so fishing is also famous. There are only 30 houses in this community. The climate is relatively warm though it can be cold in winter.
Accommodation Share room (male and female are separated) at the volunteer’s house. It is traditional Japanese style house. Volunteers cook by themselves.
Map
Recruitment information
Other activities Join the local events, many opportunities to learn the local wisdom, etc. Sightseeing, short trip (hot springs, famous places here).
Other As of 2020 Nov., it seems impossible to host the vols. from abroad. NICE and the local host will make decision to organize or cancel the project around 1 month before each start though the project can be cancelled even after that depending on the situation of COVID-19. NICE cannot compensate any damage on volunteers by this and strongly recommend them to book the flights as late as possible. *Pocket money is 20,000 JPY per month.
Requirement High motivation to learn and speak Japanese language, to work hard. Respect for the local cultures and way of the local organization. Interests in agriculture. Be ready that work is for quite a long and hard, especially from Nov. to April.