The conditions related to non-farmer participation in agricultural canal maintenance activities: The case of Watari Town, Miyagi prefecture [Japan]
2006
Aizaki, H.(National Inst. for Rural Engineering, Tsukuba, Ibaraki (Japan)) | Tsuchiya, Y. | Kondo, T. | Osanami, F.
The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of both non-farmer residents' socio-economic characteristics and contents of agricultural canal maintenance activities on their participation in work activities devoted towards the maintenance. The analysis, which uses a revealed and stated preference approach, is performed using survey data collected from six hundred residents living in Watari Town, Miyagi prefecture. The main findings of our analysis are as follows. First, non-farmer residents who anticipate that a high percentage of other residents' participation will high, have experience of using water for rural life and the natural environment, have knowledge regarding the use of water for rural life and the natural environment, and are 50 years old or more, have a higher tendency to participate in canal maintenance activities. Second, residents' evaluation of the maintenance activities and their probability of participating in the activities vary greatly according to the household type. Third, in order to strengthen participation in activities, it will be important to disseminate information about water for rural life and the natural environment to residents, to spread idea that all residents, including farmers and non-farmers, should help maintain agricultural canals, and to vary the type of activities performed depending on the household type.
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