抄録
In hilly and mountainous areas, the direct payment is still necessary after the second stage from 2005 to 2009. However, most areas where people made the rural community agreement for this system are facing serious problems including an aging population. This paper clarifies the determinants of continuing this agreement that comprises each farmer’s will and focuses on the farmers’ awareness levels. The conclusions are as following: (1) the determinants of direct payments in hilly and mountainous areas include not only the direct activity improving agricultural production but also the activity facilitating the non-agricultural events of the community. (2) The farmers who make the agreement in the third stage will be more interested in the community’s activities and its revitalization. (3) In order to continue this agreement, two measures are essential; one is the activity to facilitate non-agriculture and the other is the activity to raise community awareness.
