Study on Land Consolidation Project for Reduction in Rice Production Cost.

日本水田农业的形势十分严峻，需要降低生产成本。大规模土地整合工程的目的是提高劳动生产率。川崎村项目作为示范案例进行了调研。250米乘300米的农场块是水平的。为使旱地直接播种成为可能，采用了分灌方案。成立了农场经营协会，一半的农民将农地委托给该协会。这个协会把土地支付给农民。由于其劳动生产率高，本项目区可考虑在水田或旱地直接播种栽培。现场调查和室内试验表明，施工地基的渗透性很小。底土裂缝的发育是提高劳动生产率和水田综合利用的必要条件。综合考虑地形条件、农民要求和农民还款潜力，目前大规模土地整理工程的目标面积估计为15 -20万公顷。大型机械化（65马力拖拉机等）耕作系统在日本的大规模农田中是可行的。

The situation surrounding paddy field agriculture in Japan is very severe, and reduction in production cost is required. The aims of largescale land consoridation project are to increase labor productivity. The project in Kawasaki Village was investigated as a model case. Farm block of 250m by 300m is made level. Sub-irrugation is schemed to make direct seeding on dried field possible.A farm management association has been established and half the farmers entrust their farm land to the association. This association payment of land to the farmers. Direct seeding culture on ponding or dried field is considered in this project area because of its high labor productivity. From field investigation and laboratory test, the permeability of constructed foundation revealed to be rather small. The development of cracks in subsoil is essential to high labor productivity or mulitipurpose use of paddy field.The objective area of large -scale land consolidation project is estimated to be 150-200 thousand ha at the present, considering topographical condition, request by farmers and potentiaities of repayment by farmers. Large-scale mechanized (65 HP tractor etc.) farming system can be practical in large-scale field lots in Japan.