Drivers of Environmental Conservation Agriculture in Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

Sado Island in the Niigata prefecture in Japan is one of the first Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) among developed countries and has since been involved in environmental conservation agriculture (ECA). While ECA is still in its early stage in Japan, it has proven to be effective in mitigating climate change in the agricultural sector; hence, this study aimed to identify drivers of ECA among Sado Island paddy farmers. The data revealed the prevalence of farmers’ cognitive dissonance between ECA and its mitigating effects on climate change. Our findings confirmed the importance of perceived GIAHS involvement in the continuation of ECA. In addition, other identified drivers of ECA fall either on a macro-level (i.e., farmers’ awareness of their role in improving their environment) or micro-level (i.e., farmers’ differing farm optimizations). These perspectives highlighted the altruistic nature of the Sado Island ECA paddy farmers by valuing the improvement of their local and global environment as their main reason to continue ECA, whereas their various farm management optimizations support this observed farmer altruism by providing avenues to increase yield with only a moderate paddy land area. This study highlights the need to continuously develop sustainable strategies to maintain and improve a positive farmer mindset towards ECA.

Farmers’ resilience to climate change through the circular economy and sustainable agriculture: a review from developed and developing countries

“…Farmers in developed countries were concerned about CC and its impact on their farm yield. Hence, they understand the importance of adaptation and mitigation strategies (Maharjan, Gonzalvo and Aala, 2022a; Mohring, Finger and Dalhaus, 2022; Roesch-McNally, Garrett and Fery, 2020). Some farmers perceived these importances to shift to environmental-friendly practices (Maharjan, Gonzalvo and Aala, 2022a; Mohring, Finger and Dalhaus, 2022).…”

“…In Japan, a study found that some farmers perceived environmental conservation agriculture (ECA) as a strategy to mitigate CC. Limiting the use of pesticides or chemical substances will benefit the environment, according to participants with high concerns about biodiversity and ecological resources (Maharjan, Gonzalvo and Aala, 2022a). In another study, Maharjan, Gonzalvo and Aala (2022b) found that ECA has allowed Japanese farmers to earn higher profits by direct selling to consumers.…”

“…They found that economic value is not the only factor when Dutch farmers highly perceive (Mohring, Finger and Dalhaus, 2022;Roesch-McNally, Garrett and Fery, 2020). -Farmers are also aware to improve the environment (Maharjan, Gonzalvo and Aala, 2022a;Mohring, Finger and Dalhaus, 2022). -Although economic profits were found to be essential (Gutschow, Bartkowski and Felipe-Lucia, 2021;Schukat and Heise, 2021), knowledge, environmental resistance, and legislative issues were barriers for farmers in implementing sustainable agriculture practices (de Lauwere, Slegers and Meeusen, 2022).…”

“…Several practices provide farmers in developed and developing countries with opportunities to implement SA and CE. Agriculture practice should be ecologically and economically profitable in developed economies, where farmers tend to be more aware of conserving natural resources (Maharjan, Gonzalvo and Aala, 2022a). ECA allows to improve environmental resources and biodiversity Gonzalvo and Aala, 2022a).…”

Farmers' Interest in Continuing Organic Rice Farming in Yogyakarta

“…Lack of understanding of how environmental conservation agriculture (ECA) translates into climate change activism limits farmers' aspirations to improve their local/global environment and boost their production. Additionally, there is a heterogeneity of factors influencing some farming communities in terms of effective adoption techniques for ECA [6].…”