Fostering cooperation between farmers and public and private actors to expand environmentally friendly rice cultivation: intermediary functions and farmers' perspectives

Kishioka, Tomoya, Hashimoto, Shizuka, Nishi, Maiko, Saito, Osamu and Kohsaka, Ryo, (2017). Fostering cooperation between farmers and public and private actors to expand environmentally friendly rice cultivation: intermediary functions and farmers' perspectives. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 593-612

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  • Sub-type Journal article
    Author Kishioka, Tomoya
    Hashimoto, Shizuka
    Nishi, Maiko
    Saito, Osamu
    Kohsaka, Ryo
    Title Fostering cooperation between farmers and public and private actors to expand environmentally friendly rice cultivation: intermediary functions and farmers' perspectives
    Appearing in International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
    Publication Date 2017-09-10
    Place of Publication Abingdon
    Publisher Taylor & Francis
    Start page 593
    End page 612
    Language eng
    Abstract This study investigates the intermediary functions and the farmers’ perspectives in the development and implementation of agri-environmental schemes in Shiga Prefecture of Japan by employing the innovation journey analysis and the statistical analysis. The innovation journey analysis demonstrates that the prefectural government served as an ‘innovation intermediary’ to: (1) provide a clear vision of sustainable agriculture for farmers and other actors, (2) create and reinforce both technological and market niches and (3) develop actor networks involving local actors. It also identifies the following roles of the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JAs) and the specialist wholesaler as innovation intermediaries to: (1) develop new farming materials such as fertilizers, (2) translate and deliver practical farming knowledge for farmers and (3) establish the market of environmental-friendly rice. Statistical analysis uncovers that farmers more appreciated the supports from the JAs than those from other intermediaries to participate in the schemes. Complemented by the innovation journey analysis, our findings suggest that the keys to increasing farmers’ participation in the schemes include a clear vision and economic incentives for farmers as well as the coordination among intermediaries who have different expertise.
    Keyword Environmentally friendly agriculture
    Agri-environmental scheme
    Agricultural innovation system
    Innovation journey analysis
    Intermediaries
    Copyright Holder The Authors
    Copyright Year 2017
    Copyright type All rights reserved
    ISSN 14735903
    DOI 10.1080/14735903.2017.1374321
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    Created: Tue, 12 Sep 2017, 14:33:59 JST by Kurobori, Reina on behalf of UNU IAS