Formation and development of young farmers' groups at a turning point

在日本，如今接管家庭农业的人数急剧减少。年轻人成为农民并以高度的积极性从事农业需要什么样的条件？我认为青年农民群体对他们来说意义重大。因此，笔者对新泻县久备木区和山形县庄内区的青年农民团体的形成和发展进行了调查，并对这些团体的成员进行了深入的访谈。当年轻人说服自己选择务农作为职业，当他们开始认真对待务农时，他们与其他同代青年农民的关系具有很大的意义。青年农民群体在一个村庄中自然形成。但是兼职农业发展迅速，今天他们占了绝大多数。因此，我们必须有意识地支持建立年轻农民团体。在新泻县柿崎镇的“Ibukinokai”的情况下，这个小组已经持续了将近二十年。Kakizaki的年轻农民通过参加该小组得到了支持和鼓励。因为该集团已经适应了不断变化的农业条件和年轻农民每个阶段的需求。在庄内县，青年农民团体从1950年代开始活跃。尽管在20世纪70年代和80年代，在发展兼业农业的影响下，他们的活动有所减弱，但1995年，一个由少数活跃成员组成的新的青年农民团体“麦麦俱乐部”成立了。特别是青年农民群体成员与家庭的关系，以及他们与所居住村庄的关系。下次我会研究这些问题。

In Japan, the number of those taking over the family business of farming has decreased drastically these days. What conditions are necessary for young people to become a farmer and to farm with a highly motivation? I think that young farmers' group is significant for them. So I investigate the formation and development of the young farmers' groups in Kubiki district, Niigata pref.and Shonai district, Yamagata pref.I tried intensive interviews with the members of the groups to approach this theme.The main findings is as follows : when young people convinced themself of making a choice of farming as their occupation, and when they came to grips with farming, their relationship with other young farmers in the same generetion has a great deal of significance. Young farmers' groups formed naturally in a village at one time. But part-time farming has grown rapidly and they form an overwhelming majority today. So we have to support making young farmers' groups intentionally.In the case of "Ibukinokai" in Kakizaki town, Niigata pref., the group has continued for almost twenty years. Young farmers in Kakizaki were supported and encouraged by taking part in the group. Because the group has adapted itself to changing farming conditions and young farmers' needs of each stage. In Shonai district, young farmers' groups were active from 1950's. Although their activity has weakened in 1970's and 1980's under the impact of developing part-time farming, a new young farmers' group "Maimai-club" started in 1995 by a few, but active members.Some problems remain unsolved in this research project. Especially the relationship between the members of the young farmers' groups and their households, and their relationship with the village they live. I'm going to investigate these problems next time.