Regional Characteristics of Paddy Rice Cultivation and Paddy–Upland Rotation under Rice Paddy Crop Rotation Promotion

A Case Study in JA Iwamizawa Hokkaido

Abstract

Areas where paddy field rotation is promoted have the following regional characteristics. First, trends in paddy field rice cultivation during normal times show that paddy field rice production across the region decreased because farmers abandoned farming. A shift from staple to non-staple food rice was also noted. Second, trends in paddy field rotation demonstrate a gradual increase in the area of restored paddy fields and variations in paddy field rotation. During periods of drastic change, the area of restored paddy field rotation increased sharply, and direct seeding of feed rice and rice for WCS in restored fields increased. A certain number of agricultural managements are expected to continue to choose management actions in response to the external environment, changing paddy field area, field layout, uses, and sowing methods.