Trends and Effects of Not Setting Substitute Lots in Farm Land Consolidation in Hilly and Mountainous Area

Abstract

This study investigated and analyzed the trends in the rate of not setting substitute lots, the unit price of liquidation money, the characteristics of landowners who chose not setting substitute lots, and the recipients of not setting substitute lots in districts with high rates of not setting substitute lots in Niigata Prefectures, all of which have completed farm land consolidation projects in hilled rural areas. As a result, it was found that (1) the ratio of not setting substitute lots increased and the unit price of liquidation money decreased; (2) that the choice of not setting substitute lots is seen to be related to small farmers; (3) in districts with high rates of not setting substitute lots, there is an increase in the amount of not setting substitute lots held by large farmers; (4) the method of receiving not setting substitute lots can be divided into two: one is to consolidate the land with farmers who are the large scale farming farmers, and the other is to distribute the land to many small scale farming farmers; (5) it has become clear that the situation has become more and more financially viable for recipient farmers to acquire not setting substitute lots because of the decline in the unit price of liquidation money. In addition, it is discussed that the decrease in the number of landowners due to the occurrence of setting substitute lots facilitated the collection of consent for project and contributed to the promotion of the project.