抄録
This paper aims to investigate how the agricultural programs by local autonomies under the consolidation of autonomies are being executed. As the consolidation generally weakens the relationship between residents including the farmers and the local autonomy, it is thus emphasized to reinforce the relationship by making new “small autonomies” within the consolidated autonomy. The “small autonomies” are also expected to revitalize the community and their economic activities.
However, it does not work everywhere. Especially in the mountainous area of Shikoku district, what we call the “marginal community” has emerged. In such areas, “small autonomies” might play some roles to support the life of the community, but it is not easy to promote industry and create jobs there.
In the real case of Ohtoyo-cho, which is one of typical mountainous areas in the Shikoku district, the agricultural programs by local autonomy have focused on supporting the life of community the last 10 years and almost wholly abandoned its industrial promotion program. Now industrial programs are mainly based on the wider area (Reihoku). The agricultural cooperative and agricultural extension office of Kochi prefecture in the region made an organization for promoting the agriculture, and have led farmer to produce semi-organic products and to acquire a certificate of ISO 14001. The products labeled “Reihoku Hassai” have reached about 300 million in only 3 years.
In the handicapped region it is important not only to form “small autonomies”, but also to reorganize the relationship between the consolidated autonomies and the prefecture in these agricultural programs.
