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Dynamics of Environmental Conservation Agriculture (ECA) Utilization among Fujioka Farmers in Japan with High Biodiversity Conservation Awareness but Low ECA Interest

Author

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  • Keshav Lall Maharjan

    (Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-1-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8524, Japan)

  • Clarisse Gonzalvo

    (Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-1-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8524, Japan)

  • Wilson Aala

    (Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1 University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan)

Abstract

Japan aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050 by targeting various sectors including agriculture. One of the main strategies in this sector to mitigate climate change effects is environmental conservation agriculture (ECA); however, ECA utilization remains low in most of Japan’s prefectures to this date. To address this problem and to know what factors influence ECA adoption, we collected data from Fujioka city, Gunma prefecture, which has low ECA utilization but has high biodiversity conservation efforts. Using factor analysis and binary logistic regression, two major themes emerged by which ECA continuation can be increased, namely: farmers’ intent to improve their local/global environment and to enhance their production. The study highlighted the importance of ECA information dissemination as evidenced by the presence of a knowledge gap on how ECA translates into climate change advocacies. The promotion of farmer-consumer market channels and extension of ECA products in local industries by government and non-government institutions are also recommended to strengthen rural-urban linkages in the area. Increasing the ECA uptake of farmers would also have a positive impact on the ongoing preservation of endangered yaritanago fish species in Fujioka. Lastly, the results from this study highlight the heterogeneity of factors that affect any given farming community with respect to the strategies that can effectively drive ECA adoption.

Suggested Citation

  • Keshav Lall Maharjan & Clarisse Gonzalvo & Wilson Aala, 2022. "Dynamics of Environmental Conservation Agriculture (ECA) Utilization among Fujioka Farmers in Japan with High Biodiversity Conservation Awareness but Low ECA Interest," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:9:p:5296-:d:803952
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johr, Hans, . "Where are the Future Farmers to Grow Our Food?," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 15(A), pages 1-3.
    2. Yoshitaka Miyake & Shota Kimoto & Yuta Uchiyama & Ryo Kohsaka, 2022. "Income Change and Inter-Farmer Relations through Conservation Agriculture in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan: Empirical Analysis of Economic and Behavioral Factors," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Keshav Lall Maharjan & Clarisse Mendoza Gonzalvo & Wilson Florendo Aala, 2021. "Leveraging Japanese Sado Island Farmers’ GIAHS Inclusivity by Understanding Their Perceived Involvement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Knowler, Duncan & Bradshaw, Ben, 2007. "Farmers' adoption of conservation agriculture: A review and synthesis of recent research," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 25-48, February.
    5. Daniele Mozzato & Paola Gatto & Edi Defrancesco & Lucia Bortolini & Francesco Pirotti & Elena Pisani & Luigi Sartori, 2018. "The Role of Factors Affecting the Adoption of Environmentally Friendly Farming Practices: Can Geographical Context and Time Explain the Differences Emerging from Literature?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-23, August.
    6. Clarisse Mendoza Gonzalvo & Wilson Jr. Florendo Aala & Keshav Lall Maharjan, 2021. "Farmer Decision-Making on the Concept of Coexistence: A Comparative Analysis between Organic and Biotech Farmers in the Philippines," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-21, September.
    7. François J Dessart & Jesús Barreiro-Hurlé & René van Bavel, 2019. "Behavioural factors affecting the adoption of sustainable farming practices: a policy-oriented review," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 46(3), pages 417-471.
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    1. Keshav Lall Maharjan & Clarisse Mendoza Gonzalvo & Wilson Jr. Florendo Aala, 2022. "Drivers of Environmental Conservation Agriculture in Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-23, August.

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