Abstract
This paper estimates the labor input on rice production by different farm size, gender and age group in Echigo-tsumari region, a rural area in Niigata prefecture and prospects the future possibility of the farmland conservation in severely aging situation. Random coefficient regression with Agricultural Census by rural community unit clarified considerable labor input by small and elder farmers. Under certain assumption, about 71% of rice field area held by elder farmers is able to be conserved by the expansion of young farm management entities. Spatial distribution of young and elder management entities is not particularly polarized.
