抄録
It is quite useful for designing policy framework for handicapped areas to examine the concept of handicap itself from the theoretical point of view. According to both the micro economics theory and the theory of differential rent in Marx-Ricardian school, physically handicapped condition of farmland does not necessarily imply disadvantage in the economics sense. The concept of handicap only makes economics sense with respect to family farm household whose income is earned as a mixed income.
Until recently the choice of farming enterprize suitable to the handicapped areas has been mainly considered from the standpoint of the absolute advantage of the enterprize in concern. However, it is more advisable to choose proper enterprize taking account of the viewpoint of the relative advantage. In this sense the most crucial question is whether rice in handicapped areas is a crop with the relative advantage or not.
Based on the above-mentioned theoretical examinaions, the following policy recommendations for revitalizing the handicapped areas are proposed.
Firstly, regarding small part-time farming, which is the majority of farming in handicapped areas except for Hokkaido, the improvement of rural infrastructure is more advisable than the so-called direct income payment scheme.
Secondly, regarding intensive farming such as flower growing, financial support with the concessional interest rate would be effective. Moreover, universdl concessional rate for all the subsidies for handicapped areas are desirable to make policy intention much clearer.
Finally, as for less intensive and land-using farming, it is essential to decide the strategic crops other than rice and give them the direct income support, if we try to maintain the agricultural land use in handicapped areas at all.
