Abstract
The aim of this paper is to clarify the influence that use of local agricultural products has in regional agriculture through examination of the situation in green tourism facilities as well as the prescribed factors for use. The results are as follows: 1) As farmers' organizations must reflect farmers' interests more directly,the ratio of local foods is higher in areas with strong farmers' organizations than non-farmers' organizations. 2) With the increase of both farmers over sixty and female farmers, local-foods ratios increase. Agriculture by the aged and women is usually small scale and not always suitable for wide-range marketing. In the case that green tourism facilities buy out of standardized products, such non-traditional farmers are able to sell their products easily. 3) A lower share of vegetable production leads to higher local-foods ratios. In lower share vegetable production areas, green tourism facilities are the only suitable shopping point. On the other hand, marketing channels are already established in dominant vegetable production areas. 4) As green tourism facilities are becoming the only marketing avenue in under-populated areas, local-foods ratios are higher than in other areas. 5) A higher paved-road ratio also leads to the higher local foods ratios. Good roads provide good conditions for shipping, especially in hillside areas.
