抄録
In proportion with the increase in imported agricultural products and the reduction of regional agriculture production, the expectations placed on the activities of agricultural cooperatives is increasing not only by their members but also by agricultural policy. However, it is an economic organization which is established by members. Therefore, the aims and measures of its activities on regional agriculture must match its own needs and characteristics.
The conclusion of this paper is as follows:
1) The cost of farm guidance business in agricultural cooperatives is covered by the profit from other businesses such as credit business and insurance business. According to the decrease in the earnings of these businesses in recent years, the number of farm advisers is being cut.
2) Mergers of agricultural cooperatives will make joint efforts between agricultural cooperatives and local governments more difficult.
3) Farmland use management by agricultural cooperatives requires the participation of different types of members. Several conditions are necessary for this type of business.
4) In areas where family farms are threatened, support by agricultural cooperatives is an important and effective means of creating new types of agricultural farms.
