Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/66088

Growing as a production area of japonica rice, Wuchang City in Northeast China has been attracting attention as a major production area of organic rice during the last decade. The formation of this region as a production area seems to be closely linked to the farmers' organizations, which have undertaken the changing role of processing and distribution companies. This role is particularly important to the way the farmers' organizations have developed in rural China. Since the Law of the People's Republic of China on Specialized Farms Cooperatives was introduced in 2007, Specialized Farmers Cooperatives have been rapidly forming, which is regarded as a supplement to the processing and distribution enterprises in the market. The first part of this paper explores the reasons for Wuchang City becoming a production area of high-quality rice. The second part examines Wuchang City's Minle Township, for a closer look at the way the organic production areas formed. The final part of this paper uses FS Organic Specialized Farmers Cooperative as a case study to investigate the role of farmers' organizations in this process. The signification of rural organizations during the formation of production area had been revealed when gradually changed from type 2, exclusive marketing cooperatives led by processing and distribution enterprises, to type 1, cooperatives promoted by administrative and technology organizations. Township officials had played a significant role in helping FS cooperative shift from farmers'cooperative of type 2 to type 1. It should be noticed that FS cooperative is managed by township officials under the conditions of market economy, other than the old bureaucratic system such as village-owned company. In addition, the operating plan of FS cooperative was discussed by village heads based on the administrative structure of the township. Until now the cooperative has covered more than 60% of the paddy fields. and its members' income has been well protected by a contract price. As the competition of rice business in Minle Township is very fierce, and the production base is in flux, it is difficult for a company to control farmers for their interests only by controlling the production materials. Different from the exclusive marketing cooperatives of type 2, farmers' cooperatives of type 1, promoted by local government. should not be regarded as a coincidence. Development of FS cooperative is a useful model to encourage further cooperation among local governments and farmers.