Damage to Horticultural Facilities in the Kanto Koshin Region by Snowfall in February 2014 and Its Causes

Abstract

Local production organizations and farmers are required to reduce and avoid various risks to maintain and develop their businesses. Previous research on damage to or collapse of horticultural facilities primarily focused on ascertaining the actual situation and analyzing factors related to the damage on a micro scale. However, it is also possible to understand the mechanisms behind the occurrence of such damage by viewing the situation on a meso scale.

This study attempted to identify the forms and causes of the occurrence of damage to horticultural facilities caused by snowfall in the Kanto Koshin region in February 2014. The Hokubu region of Saitama prefecture, Kyoto region of Yamanashi prefecture, and Suwa region of Nagano prefecture were selected as target regions, and comparisons were made of the structural characteristics of horticultural facilities, weather changes, and regional factors.

It is highly likely that snowfall and snow accumulation, which contribute to damage to horticultural facilities, will exceed the levels forecast by public institutions and the national government. However, damage does not occur uniformly corresponding to the actual amounts of snowfall and snow accumulation. The following findings on damage to horticultural facilities were derived by examining quantitative aspects from the viewpoint of building damage rates and qualitative aspects from the viewpoint of monetary damage rates.

The Hokubu region of Saitama prefecture suffered less qualitative than quantitative damage. In addition, the Kyoto region of Yamanashi prefecture recorded greater qualitative than quantitative damage, while the Suwa region of Nagano prefecture experienced relatively little quantitative and qualitative damage. What is particularly noticeable is that the Suwa region is not necessarily susceptible to extensive quantitative and qualitative damage despite having numerous horticultural facilities with low ability withstand heavy snowfalls. In addition, facilities thought to be able to withstand heavy snow did not necessarily suffer less damage and those with less ability did not necessarily suffer more. It is therefore possible that the form of agricultural production in each region and the protective actions taken by farmers, such as implementing preliminary countermeasures or preventive measures, may have been factors contributing to differences in the degree of damage.

It was clear from the regional comparisons in this study that, even if horticultural facilities were designed to withstand less snow than actually accumulated, damage can be reduced by taking preliminary countermeasures and appropriate actions at the time of a snowfall. Previous experience and knowledge of the potential damage from snowfall affect individual actions taken to accommodate snow and prevent the resulting damage, and the sharing of this regional information is key to reducing and avoiding such damage.