This study examines the relationship between sustainable agriculture and the management functions of local agricultural organizations through a comparative analysis of two organizational models: one marked by the internalization of management functions (internalized model) and the other by their supplementation through inter-organizational collaboration (collaborative model). The analysis focuses on three core management dimensions: (1) management support and information dissemination, (2) distribution and marketing, and (3) workforce development and succession planning. In the internalized model, functions such as marketing, cultivation techniques, and training systems are integrated within the organization, enabling streamlined and continuous implementation. In contrast, the collaborative model sustains these functions through strategic partnerships with a broad range of regional institutions. The findings indicate that both models of sustainable agriculture operate through distinct functional configurations and underscore the importance of context-specific institutional arrangements in the design of local agricultural organizations.

Japanese agriculture faces a severe labor shortage and an aging population. This study aims to address these challenges by promoting the adoption of data-driven smart agriculture. To achieve this, we conducted descriptive and quantitative analyses using individual-level data from the 2020 Census of Agriculture and Forestry in Chiba Prefecture. Results revealed that only 16% of farmers utilize such data, suggesting the untapped potential of smart agriculture. Moreover, distinct characteristics were observed among farmers who incorporate data into their management practices: group-based management, younger ownership, larger business scale, absence of succession issues, higher female workforce participation, shipping to non-market destinations, and a focus on field crop production. To increase smart agriculture adoption, it is essential to identify key target groups and develop effective data use strategies based on these findings.

Smart Farming is becoming increasingly significant to sustainable agriculture, attracting academic interest. Numerous studies have explored smart farming, but most did not distinguish between community-based agricultural corporations (CACs) and individual-managed agricultural corporations (IMACs). This study analyzes CACs and IMACs separately, aiming to statistically identify (1) expectations for smart farming, (2) determinants of smart farming adoption, and (3) functions and types of smart farming machinery. In conclusion, (1) IMAC have higher expectations for smart farming in terms of management leading to higher income, while CACs focus on labor savings to sustain the farmland; (2) “successors,” “expectations for labor saving,” “requests for subsidies,” and “income” are significant variables that affect the adoption of smart farming; and (3) IMACs adopt a broader range of smart farming machinery, whereas CACs primarily use smart rice transplanters, favoring the least expensive, user-friendly assist-function models.

This study aims to identify changes in land use and introduced technologies, as well as changes in work systems and their characteristics. The research object is a large-scale upland farm in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido, which operates mainly with family labor. The following conclusions can be drawn:
The farm is oriented toward establishing a crop rotation system with four crops, even as the planted area of crops expands. Land use and introduced technologies are changing large-scale upland farming. There has been a reorganization of work processes, particularly in the spring season, and the introduction of technology to prevent breeding, extermination, and harvesting. This change significantly reduced the number of labor hours. It is inferred that large-scale upland farms will necessarily practice prevention of breeding and extermination, harvesting, and combination operations using large machinery, based on the premise of smart agricultural technology.

This study aims to elucidate the conditions necessary for the existence of the management of rural property rights trade centers in China through a case study of these centers managed by private companies. Consequently, three conditions for their existence were identified. First, private companies must have a system development department and demonstrate their strengths in the development of the centers’ operations. Second, successful centers are to build good relationships with local governments while satisfying their needs. Finally, a business model that increases profitability through multi-center involvement while minimizing system-related costs by developing, selling, and maintaining operating systems for the centers should be established.

This study analyzed how recruitment methods influence employee recruitment and retention in agricultural corporations and farming support organizations in Hokkaido, Japan. A questionnaire survey was distributed to 900 employers, yielding a 34.5% response rate, and the data were cross-tabulated. The findings indicate a discrepancy between the recruitment methods used and those employers find effective, sector-based recruitment methods differ between crop and livestock farming sectors; multiple recruitment methods are used simultaneously to recruit workers; recruitment methods that target a wide area present challenges to employee retention; and word of mouth affects employee retention. Recruitment success can be enhanced by fostering pre-employment relationships with unfamiliar job seekers, as well as integrating recruitment methods that consider the diversity of both the farming sectors and job seekers.

This study examines the factors contributing to variability in the quality of onion seedlings, with a particular focus on onion production management in the northern Tohoku region, which has recently expanded in response to domestic commercial demand. The analysis considers whether fundamental agricultural techniques are applied and whether the product originates from a recognized production area. The findings indicate that disparities in onion production management emerge primarily at the seedling stage with the primary factor is whether basic techniques are implemented. Notably, onion production management in nonvegetable producing regions has a low level of implementation of basic techniques, resulting in significant individual differences in the quality of seedlings. To standardize the yields of these farming styles, the agricultural information collection and transmission approach in the producing area needs to be replaced.

Amid concerns over an aging workforce and labor shortage in Japanese agriculture, securing labor has become critical, particularly in the labor-intensive cherry production. Yamagata, a leading cherry-production region, has recently seen the expansion of “daywork,” an online matching service for 1-day agricultural jobs. This study investigates the use of “daywork” in Yamagata and compares it with previous studies in Hokkaido. In Hokkaido, securing manpower led to a shift from wheat to vegetable farming and an increase in production scale. In contrast, in Yamagata, daywork serves as a supplement to conventional manpower, rather than directly contributing to the expansion of production. However, it could promote farms, improve the working environment through interaction, and, for job seekers, expand and deepen their involvement with local agriculture.

This study analyzed the trend of the establishment and management of Kleingarten in Japan. We clarified the characteristics of the management method and user behavior of Kleingarten during the COVID-19 outbreak in Nagano Prefecture. Kleingarten management continued while taking infection prevention measures, including engaging in hand disinfection, canceling various events, and conducting brief outdoor workshops. However, Kleingarten was constantly demanded, and the stress reduction in farming experience, rural life, safety net, and workcation were expressed as new functions. Currently, in the post-COVID-19 period, movement restrictions have been lifted, and it is expected that Kleingarten will return to the former pattern but the above functions will be demonstrated in the future as work style reform progresses due to the COVID-19 experience and in response to unforeseen circumstances.

In recent years, growing concerns regarding environmental and food safety issues have led to an increased interest in eco-friendly agricultural practices, particularly organic farming, in Japan and abroad. Natural farming is a method that refrains from using pesticides, chemical fertilizers or even organic fertilizers. Although it has a smaller environmental footprint than conventional farming, research on natural farming is limited. Therefore, this study focuses on the regional diffusion of natural farming in Hakui, Ishikawa Prefecture, where adoption is well advanced. This study aims to clarify the attributes and management status of natural farming households and analyze the diffusion process of natural farming in Hakui, using Rogers’ theory of innovation diffusion. The results show the conditions necessary for diffusion and the appropriate diffusion agents.

This study examines the labor dynamics associated with weeding in Ogata Village, where large-scale organic rice farming is concentrated. The survey method comprised a questionnaire administered to 49 organic farmers. The results indicate that the majority of farms source temporary labor for hand weeding from outside the village, with most workers being women over 70 years old. Additionally, the total labor hours required for hand weeding average 20.1 hours per 10a, a demand that is challenging to meet solely through family labor. Furthermore, the high concentration of labor demand has led to wage levels exceeding market rates and has reduced employment sufficiency. This study concludes that the weeding labor system among organic rice farms in Ogata Village is heavily dependent on externally sourced temporary labor, with elevated wages and yields driven by high wages and yields driven by the large-scale organic rice farms in the region.

The disposal of large quantities of digested slurry from biogas system plants presents a significant challenge. One potential solution is to encourage its use as a liquid fertilizer in nearby upland farms. This study examines the manuring of organic matter and chemical fertilization in upland farming in Hokkaido’s Tocachi Upland areas. Historically, dairy farms in these areas have supplied upland farms with compost and manure slurry, which contribute to fertilization efforts. Therefore, this study analyzes the actual inputs of digested slurry, compost, manure slurry, and chemical fertilizers in upland farms in the area considering that these fertilizing efforts were limited to the nitrogen component. To evaluate the impact of digested slurry as a substitute for chemical fertilizers in upland farming, manuring compost and manure slurry must be considered in upland farming.

Livestock mutual aid is a key risk management tool for addressing production risks among livestock farmers. However, structural changes driven by continued farm-scale expansion have influenced risk management preferences. In this study, we analyzed a large-scale farm that chose to internalize risk through expensing rather than externalize it through insurance. The analysis revealed that damage prevention measures were implemented in stages by treatment staff and a contracted veterinarian. Consequently, the livestock mortality rate was reduced by 0.5% while maintaining low medical costs. Notably, when the mortality rate is sufficiently low, the profit margin is higher with expensing than with mutual aid.

This study examines the purchasing experience and consumption characteristics of fresh cut cabbage in Japan. We analyzed data from a web-based questionnaire survey conducted in 2023. The key findings are as follows: (1) “Living alone” is the key factor in the purchasing experience of fresh cut cabbage, especially among males. (2) Approximately 70% of the respondents began purchasing fresh cut cabbage before 2019. (3) The purchase of fresh cut cabbage is positively influenced by the numbers “fresh cabbage” purchases, a high valuation on “ease”, and a low valuation on the “expiration date” of fresh cut cabbage. Furthermore, consumers who purchase fresh cabbage buy fresh cut cabbage often for instant easy consumption. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing food labeling, particularly regarding expiration date and freshness, to better inform customers.