Challenges Associated with Implementing a Production Management System for Large-Scale Rice Farming

；A Case Study of “Farm A”

Abstract

This study sought to implement a production management system to facilitate the management of large-scale rice farming and to clarify the challenges associated with adopting such a system. Fundamental data collected by farmers and inputted into a production management system should include the date and working hours spent on each agricultural activity. These data are then associated with land use information, such as area, and mapped. By combining these data, it is possible to clarify the amount of time required for each agricultural activity. Further, the underlying reasons for any problems associated with implementing agricultural activities can be identified and analyzed. We applied such a system to improve the production of rice, soybeans and other crops on a large-scale farm, “Farm A”. For example, differences in overall efficiency were observed by adopting puddling in rice production. Furthermore, by analyzing the different aspects of soybean production it was found that a disproportionate amount of time was spent on weeding. Thus, by using a production management system it is possible to improve agricultural production. To realize management improvements using a production management system, farmers need to record such the data and then implement production improvements on their own initiative.