The Orange Cultivation Region in Saga Prefecture

Abstract

The production area of an agricultural product is subdivided into the core region and the circumference region. Between them, apparent differences are found in production structure. The area of this study, Saga prefecture, is a newly developed orange cultivation region. The author attempted to examine the spatial distribution pattern of this orange production region, and to investigate the differences in production structure between the core region and the circumference region. Firstly, factor analysis and cluster analysis are applied for subdividing orange cultivation areas. The result is as follows ; the areas may be subdivided into seven regions (A. B, ………F. Fig.6), D is an orange dominant region. C_1 is an orange and rice region, which is located around D. C_2 is a rice dominant with subsidiary orange region, Iocated around C_1. Moving away from region D toward C_1 or C_2, the degree of orange cultivation decreases. Consequently the author called D the core region in orange production, and C_1 and C_2 the circumference regions. Secondly, sample study areas were selected as follows ; Tobosa hamlet, Hamatama-Town, from the D region, Ikisashimo hamlet, Ohchi-Town, from the C_1 and C_2 regions. In the former, one of the oldest orange production regions, orange production has been introduced in every farm-class. Co-operative production facilities have been established. And young successors are earnestly occupied in orange production. In the latter, orange production has been introduced as a complex farming crop with rice. It has not spread further into the farmers of the low and middle classes. Cooperative production facilities have not been established. The agricultural labour force mostly depends on females and aged males. As to shipment of oranges, the co-operative system is most important in Saga prefecture. But certain differences are found in destination. That is, the main market of Hamatama-Town is the Kanto-megalopolis. On the other hand, that of Ohchi-Town is the local market such as Yamanashi prefecture. Thirdly, concerning responses to severe conditions for orange production, there are apparent differences between these two sample areas. In Hamatama we can see certain corresponding measures (for example changing the kind of orange), but in Ohchi the farmers paid attention to products other than citrus like winter crops in paddy field. Or they are apt to give up orange cultivation.