2023 年 14 巻 2 号 p. 74-79
In Japan, engaging in agriculture as a new farmer comes with various challenges and uncertainties. To sustain and secure the agriculture sector’s future, national and local governments, farmers, private entities, and other stakeholders provide a wide range of support. Seeking best practices is a sound basis for increasing the number of new farmers and improving their resilience. Through a case study approach, this study aimed to clarify the current condition and issues of agricultural support for new farmers in H City, Tokyo, and determine the initiatives and agricultural support that assisted a young female farmer in establishing an urban farm. This study conducted interviews with a young female farmer and city officers. The in-depth key informant interviews revealed that training, subsidies, securing land services, and referral to farmer’s organizations are some of the available forms of support. The interviewed farmer considered the recent revision of the Law on Productive Green Areas a significant opportunity for her to rent farmland, which is a challenge for most new farmers. Despite the fact that a 5-year rental period is commonly practiced, she could avail of a 30-year lease, conveying the importance for new farmers to also develop trust, confidence, and a good relationship with the farmland owner. Although the interviewed farmer has successfully established a farm, there is a need for further investigation to clarify consumer preferences, buying behavior, and their degree of familiarity with her farm and products to improve her farm business and resilience.
