2021 Volume 19 Pages 17-40
Today, in the 21st century, we are in a period of change, and for humankind to continue to prosper, it is necessary to alter the society so that it shifts away from capitalism towards sustainability. Agricultural science is an academic field with great potential to enable the realization of a sustainable society, but there exist several problems associated with the current academic system regarding agriculture and the direction of technological development.In this paper, we summarize the current state of development in science and technology which has played a role in the economic development, and state of environmental problems, and state of the global economy, and attempt to explain the necessity of realizing a society type that emphasizes local production for local consumption. It was initiated by attempting to change the direction of a new society and increasing awareness regarding the necessity for its realization. Hiroi’s theory of post-capitalist society will be introduced as an example of a sustainable society. Following this, the issues of agriculture, such as the current situation in which the agricultural and rural areas of Japan have been exhausted, and those of agricultural science, such as specialization and technology-centered research, will be summarized. We then outline the ways in which a sustainable society can be realized.
