Regional Characteristic of High Abandoned Paddy Ratio Area under the Rice Production Adjustment System

A case study in Ehime Prefecture

Abstract

This case study in Ehime Prefecture aims to clarify the basic conditions and characteristics of high abandoned paddy ratio area under the Rice Production Adjustment System (Seisan-Chosei of Rice). The data of whole paddy fields under its system are analyzed by a unit of municipalities to classify them into 5 types from a view of paddy usage and management. The basic conditions and characteristics of the types with a high abandoned paddy ratio area are followed;
1. “Urbanizing Area” and “Mountainous Area” classified by the way of “Classification Agricultural Area”
2. With the 20-50% paddy area in the whole cultivated area
3. With 15-50a of paddy area per a farm household
In these type, a lack of labor and less favored foundation are also causes of paddy abandonment. It is also pointed that the present system of the Rice Production Adjustment System (Seisan-Chosei of Rice) has causeda division or set-a-side of whole lot of paddy field, resulting in dilapidation of paddy field.