Abstract
Land utilization in Less Favored Areas (LFAs) is facing a turning point. Farm economy and rural communities are facing hardships because of frequent crop damage from wild animals. Besides, farmers are becoming old, making it difficult to continue labor-intensive farming. On the other hand, several cattle farmers are starting to feed their cattle by means of grazing on less utilized arable fields. Grazing is also used in the hope of conservation of rural resources as well as development of extensive and ecological farming in LFAs.
In this report, we have presented the results of a research on the effectiveness of fruit cultivation adopting grazing and its technical issues based on a case study of chestnut cultivation in the Chugoku hilly and mountainous areas. The report clarified the following points.
Firstly, difficulties in weeding on steep slopes during summer and crop damage from wild boars, monkeys, and bears make it difficult for elderly farmers to continue their chestnut cultivation.
Secondly, the adoption of cattle grazing in chestnut fields reduced the previous working hours by two-thirds, and has succeeded in keeping the wild animals in check. However, grazing in the fields has created several issues, such as protecting young trees from grazing cattle and grass management.
Thirdly, integration of chestnut cultivation with cattle breeding increased income, labor productivity, and land revenue under winter breeding. It greatly contributed to the continuation of fruit cultivation and conservation of rural resources carried out by elderly farmers in the Chugoku hilly and mountainous areas.
Finally, to establish and develop fruit cultivation adopting grazing, it is necessary to apply information technology to monitor cattle and weather to improve breeding and reduce pesticide in the orchards.
