A Performance Analysis of the Public Projects for Japanese Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Based on an examination of the method and results of project evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), this paper develops a framework, characterized by combining time-serial and cross-sectional analysis, to identify the performance of the public investment for sustainable agriculture. The empirical analysis for the 1999-2002 period projects implemented by prefectures shows an expected performance in identifying the net impact of these projects on promoting the development of sustainable agriculture, and the possibility in improving MAFF project evaluation. The empirical results also suggest that these projects have substantially promoted the growth of eco-farmers with diminishing project performance, while the same effects are not found in certified organic farmers.