Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/88752

In Japanʼs agriculture, there is a serious shortage of bearers and an aging population in hilly and mountainous areas, and new farmers must be actively accepted. However, in addition to the challenges faced by new farmers in general, the natural, economic, and social disadvantages of hilly and mountainous areas make it even more difficult for new farmers to start a new farm job. Therefore, support systems must be further strengthened in Hilly and Mountainous Areas. In this study, a case study of Akaigawa Village, Hokkaido, was conducted to clarify the support system needed for new farmers in hilly and mountainous areas. Akaigawa Village supports the acceptance and establishment of many new farmers with a consistent support system for training and sales channels, and Dosanko Nosan Center, a direct sales group, is particularly active in accepting new farmers. Therefore, we examined the role of a direct sales group in the retention of new farmers. In conclusion, it is clear that Dosanko Nosan Center contributes to the improvement of farming techniques and earning a stable income for new farmers by efforts toward the standardization of products within Dosanko Nosan Center and by having multiple sales channels, including direct sales to co-ops. In addition, the flexibility to change the volume of shipments to Dosanko Nosan Center according to the stage of farming management allows new farmers to develop diverse farming management.