Actual Situation and Prospects of Weeding Labor in Organic Rice Farm in Ogata Village, Akita Prefecture

Abstract

This study examines the labor dynamics associated with weeding in Ogata Village, where large-scale organic rice farming is concentrated. The survey method comprised a questionnaire administered to 49 organic farmers. The results indicate that the majority of farms source temporary labor for hand weeding from outside the village, with most workers being women over 70 years old. Additionally, the total labor hours required for hand weeding average 20.1 hours per 10a, a demand that is challenging to meet solely through family labor. Furthermore, the high concentration of labor demand has led to wage levels exceeding market rates and has reduced employment sufficiency. This study concludes that the weeding labor system among organic rice farms in Ogata Village is heavily dependent on externally sourced temporary labor, with elevated wages and yields driven by high wages and yields driven by the large-scale organic rice farms in the region.