Actual conditions and characteristics of Paddy Field Schools utilizing rice paddy and ditch for its activity

Abstract

Based on the questionnaire survey on Paddy Field Schools, the report firstly made clear the standard feature of their structure as a group. Then it found out the following characteristics of their structure, "the limitation of scale", "the continuity of activities", "the training of future leaders", and "the collaboration of farmers and non-farmers". The report also categorized their activities into three types; "the balanced type", "the food and agriculture type", and "the nature and environment type". There are two basic activities of Paddy Field Schools; "food and agriculture" and "nature and the environment". In rural areas, the above mentioned three types of activities based on the two basic activities coexist, which is considered to bring the expansion of Paddy Field Schools.