Possibility and Problems of Organic Rice Farming by Weeding Machine

Abstract

Organic rice farming has a few weak points. First, long hours of hand weeding, cause the price of organic rice to rise, thereby making it too expensive. Second variable and uncertain weather conditions result in uncertain yields. However, recently numbers of farmers engaged in large-scale rice farming are increasing. These farmers introduce organic　farming as a segment of their rice farming business. This paper analyzes a case of a 100 ha scale rice farm, which was converted to a 4.2ha rice area for organic farming by the introduction of a new weeding machine. The paper also, indicates influence of farming by weeding machine on the working hours, production costs. The findings reveal that organic rice farming by new weeding machine takes 15.14 working hours/10a, which is similar to the working hours on average rice farms, and allows expansion of the organic cultivation area to 17.3ha. The price of the New weeding machine (attachment to rice transplanting machine) is 80-100 million yen, and the cost of additional machinery is offset by foregoing the cost of herbicides. Unfortunately, the organic rice yield is only 460kg/10a and very uncertain due to insect damage. However, organic rice farming appeals to consumers and contributes positively towards rice selling, and a loss on organic rice is covered in total farm management.