Abstract
This study aims to clarify effects of farm scale expansion on the maintenance of irrigation canals and wildlife control fences in local communities. The study was conducted in 12 communities in Wakasa town, Fukui prefecture. The main findings are as follows: (1) farmers cultivating larger area paid a higher share of the maintenance expenses for wildlife control fences in areas farmed only by residents, whereas the residents shared the expenses and work for erecting and repairing the fence equally in the areas farmed by both residents and non-residents; (2) residents participated in the additional maintenance of irrigation canals in areas farmed only by residents, whereas they did not do so in areas farmed by both residents and non-residents. The results suggest that the expansion of farming across various communities makes it difficult to adequately maintain facilities such as irrigation canals and wildlife control fences in the community.
