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

在日本，这些天来，接管农业家族企业的人数急剧减少。年轻人要成为一名农民，并以高度的积极性种地，需要具备哪些条件？我认为年轻农民群体对他们来说意义重大。为此，笔者对新泻县久壁区和山形县首奈区青年农民群体的形成和发展进行了调查，并对群体成员进行了深入的访谈，主要发现：当青年说服自己选择务农时，当他们开始从事务农时，他们与同一代青年农民的关系具有很大的意义。青年农民群体曾一度在村子里自然形成。但兼职农业发展迅速，如今他们构成了压倒性的多数。因此，我们必须支持有意识地建立青年农民团体。以新泻Kakizaki镇的Ibukinokai为例，这个团体已经持续了近20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耕作条件和每个阶段年轻农民的需求。在松乃区，青年农民小组从1950年的S开始活跃起来。虽然在1970年的S和1980年的S，由于发展兼职农业的影响，他们的活动有所减弱，但1995年开始了一个新的青年农民小组“麦麦会”，但活跃的成员很少。本研究项目中的一些问题仍未解决。特别是青年农民群体成员与他们的家庭之间的关系，以及他们与所在村庄的关系。我下一次要调查这些问题。

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.