Aiming to revitalize farming villages and agriculture in Japan, on June 3, 2005, the National Chamber of Agriculture will launch the "Training Farm Network," an organization of cities, towns and villages that are actively recruiting new farm workers. As part of the networking effort, the organization will launch a "Vacant Farmhouse and Farmland Databank."

The National Chamber of Agriculture has been conducting consulting services for new farm workers since 1987 as more and more city workers return to their home towns. In recent years, however, some of those returnees are facing a new type of difficulty in finding themselves a house to live in, even after securing farmland. On the other hand, there are an increasing number of houses in farming villages that have been abandoned due to a lack of funds for repairs, or because the owners do not wish to rent them out. The vacant houses have also become a concern due to vandalism. The Chamber of Agriculture decided to introduce a nationwide databank after seeing a successful trial in one city.

In January 2004, Hakui City in Ishikawa Prefecture launched Japan's first "Vacant Farmhouse and Farmland Databank" service. After the data was presented on its website, inquiries flowed in from within and outside the prefecture, resulting in an increase in permanent residents.

The Chamber of Agriculture expects to witness high demand for its databank in future years, as the first wave of post-war baby-boomers is starting to reach retirement age, and many of them are likely to return to their hometowns. The databank is expected to help attract aspiring farmers, as well as those who just want to live in the countryside.



Posted: 2005/06/23 03:31:17 PM
Japanese version

TAG Local government , Non-manufacturing industry , System/Law