Assessing the Potential of the J-Credit Scheme and Irrigation Devices with ICT in the Extended Mid-Summer Drainage Period in Japanese Paddy Fields

Abstract

Extending the mid-summer drainage period in rice cultivation is one of the methodologies under the J-Credit scheme. To prove the legitimacy of their activities, farmers must create farming records, however, this requires additional labor. This study calculated the balance of costs and benefits of installing irrigation devices with information and communications technologies (ICT) to address this issue. Calculations of income from the J-Credit scheme, the cost of introducing irrigation devices with ICT, and the cost-reduction effect revealed that costs could be offset by 15% to 44%. In this case, the benefits could sufficiently offset the costs. Under the J-Credit scheme, farmers for whom it is appropriate to implement an extended mid-summer drainage period using ICT irrigation devices include (1) rice farmers cultivating large-scale paddy fields, (2) farmers who spend considerable time on water management, and (3) farmers in areas with high baseline emissions.