Effects of agricultural activities on social activities in early retirement

Abstract

We conducted an online questionnaire survey of social activities among retirees in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and quantitatively analyzed the effects of communal agricultural activities, focusing on differences among three groups in early retirement: “agriculturally active” (those engaged in communal farming), “non-farming” (those engaged in non-farming activities), and “inactive” (those not engaged in social activities). The results revealed that the number one reason for engaging in social activities is to contribute to the community, that agricultural activities contribute to better social and mental health for individuals and to the community formation and promotion of local contribution activities for the community compared to non-agricultural activities, and that the joie de vivre of farmers is higher like the social and mental health when they are aware of local community contribution. Thus, it is suggested that agricultural activities may support the development of a community where active elderly people take on supportive roles.