An Econometric Analysis of the Rate of Agreement to Paddy Field Rearrangement

Abstract

　At present, paddy field rearrangement is necessary to decrease the costs of rice production in the Tohoku district. Because it is important to achieve consensus among farmers before starting the rearrangement project of paddy fields, the aim of this study is to clarify factors which affect farmers' agreements to rearrangement projects. The study particularly concentrates on the case of Toyosatocho, located in a typical rice production area in Miyagi prefecture, and we apply the logit model.
　The potential cost reductions from the project is the greatest incentive for farmers' agreements to the paddy field rearrangement project. Town officials found a special method of cost reduction in the case of Toyosatocho. There is a national project that prevents water from filling up paddy fields. This project improves the drainage system. By introducing this project, farmers can save on the cost of rearrangement because the central and local governments subsidize the cost of project.
　Then, we found that farm scale and man-machine ratio are two major important factors. The rate of agreement to rearrangement project is in proportion to these factors. The scatter of paddy field is also an important factor which affects the farmers' agreements.
　Further, we clarified that local government's human resource allocation is an important factor in increasing the rate of agreement to paddy field rearrangement. To increase the agreement rate, the local government should allocate its human resources in achieving consensus among farmers.