26/08/2026
大規模農場から打って変わって小規模農家さんの生産現場。この農家さんの規模は東京ドーム(実は鹿島中学校の敷地とほぼ同面積)2個分です。ちなみにブラジルでの中・大規模農家は20ha以上という定義があります。
収穫には日本でも見かける刈り払い機に似た、小型エンジン付き熊手をコーヒーの木に押し当てて落ちた実を収穫します(2枚目の動画)。収穫後の枝や葉、小石などは13歳からその歴40年以上の奥さんによってザルで除去(3枚目の動画)。
一見、実りが良く見える木があります(5枚目)が、実は葉が少ない状況のまま生産せざるを得ない状況なのだとか。そのため光合成による成熟に必要な栄養が実に行き届かず完熟しない、もしくは熟しても高品質にはなり難いそうです。葉が少ない理由は病気、または計画的な木の更新が出来ずにいることなど、様々な事情があるとのこと。金銭的にも肉体的にも少ない資本では優先順位に目をつぶる現実がおありなんですね。
そんな中、ポンデケージョというモチモチしたブラジル式パンケーキとジュースでおもてなしを受けました(6枚目)。テーブルクロスのニワトリがとても可愛かったです。
大規模農家、小規模農家それぞれを視察した後の夕焼け、とても印象的に映りました。
The production site of small farmers has changed from a large-scale farm. The scale of this farmer is equivalent to 2 Tokyo Domes (actually about the same area as the site of Kashima Junior High School). By the way, there is a definition that medium and large-scale farmers in Brazil are more than 20ha.
For harvesting, a small engine rake similar to a mower seen in Japan is pressed against a coffee tree and the fallen fruit is harvested (2nd video). The branches, leaves, pebbles, etc. after harvest were removed with a colander by a wife who has been with more than 40 years of experience from the age of 13 (3rd video).
At first glance, there is a tree that looks fruitive well (the 5th), but in fact, it is a situation where it has to be produced with few leaves. Therefore, it seems that the nutrients necessary for maturation by photosynthesis are not fully ripe, or it is difficult to achieve high quality even if it is ripe. The reason for the small number of leaves is due to various circumstances, such as illness or the inability to renew the planned tree. There is a reality that we turn a blind eye to priorities with little capital, both financially and physically.
In the meantime, I received hospitality with a chewy Brazilian-style pancake and juice called Pontechejo (6th). The chicken on the tablecloth was very cute.
The sunset after visiting large-scale and small-scale farmers was very impressive.
