FARM HOUSEHOLD SERVEY
KAKUDA, JAPAN
BY
Masood-ur-rehman, Pakistan.
Majid neknizad, Iran.
Contents:
1. Farmers life.
2. Agriculture condition.
3. Economical condition.
4. My impression.
 Farmers life:
History: The first farm household survey in Japan was conducted by
Mankichi Saito in 1911.
The farm household survey through interviewing farmers is very
much necessary for planning solution to the farmer problems and providing
information that would be useful in preparation of Agriculture policy.
For this purpose home stay program was conducted at Kakuda city in
Miyagi prefecture from 9th to 13th July 2001. Farm household survey
includes the life style of the host farmer, Agriculture system, Economical
condition, and comparison with our own farmer and my impression about
host farmer Kakuda City and its inhabitants.
Mr.Omokawa Yoshiaki was our host farmer is the only son of his
farmer parents. His father 76 and mother 67 is still young and energetic and
actively engaged in farming. His wife 46 beside the responsibility of
children and home also help him in farming.
Mr.Omokawa has four children out of which 3 are school going and
the younger most 4 years old at home.
Mr. Omokawa wakeup early in the morning and visit the farm daily
which is in fact the secret of his good health.
 Agriculture condition.
Mr.Omokawa is well equipped with adequate farm machinery for the
Cultivation of Rice, soybean, Barley and vegetable. He has a big fleet of
mechanized farming with a full fledge post harvest facility such that depend
on any farmer or organization for his pre or post harvest operations. He own
post harvest facility like drying, milling, polishing and packing for his own
rice as well as for the other farmers. The machinery and equipment are old
but in a good enough condition. Generally he operates all the machinery and
carry out minor repair when necessary. He also own pipe green house for
vegetable cultivation.
Mr.Omokawa’s farm machinery and equipment are well serviced, clean
and packed in the farm shed.
 Economical condition:
Mr.Omokawa’s expenditures on building and machinery i.e. pre and post
harvest are highest. Marketing is done by the cooperative society. The price
of the produce depends on the quality, variety and the production condition
such as organic or safety production methods. Mr.Omokawa sells his rice at
the rate of 300-333 yen / Kg. Mr.Omokawa also sale directly safety polished
rice to the consumers. Total income and expenditure on cultivation of 21.8
ha of land under Rice, soybean, and barley is as follows.
Gross income:
Total cost + Tax:
Net income:
Subsidy
(Converted land):
Total net income:
27,260,115
21,770,890
5,489,225
4,000,000
9,489,225
 Comparison:
Japan
Pakistan
Iran
Gross income
Yen / ha
Expenditure
Yen / ha
31,260,115
225,000
215,000
21,770,890
56,000
48,500
Net
Yen / ha
9,489,225
169,000
166,500
 Impression:
Visit to Kakuda was very much interesting and impressive in all
respect. Warm welcome by the Mayer of the city, high gentry, and
progressive farmers of Kakuda falls an everlasting impression in our mind.
Mr.Omokawa and his left an unforgettable impression in our hearts; they are
of course a perfect family.
In agronomic aspect, A big fleet of Agricultural machinery with complete
post harvest facilities makes him not only self sufficient in all respect, but he
can extend it to the other farmers also. He extended his farming from
traditional rice cultivation to other Agricultural products such as soybean,
barley and vegetables. He is able to generate enough income to sustain his
family and live well through farming.
What impressed me most is the support by the government with loans,
subsidy, and guaranteed marketing for their products. Farmers work with
interest and viewed with respect in the city.
Cooperative system is also very much impressive. JA extends its full
cooperation in all respects to the member farmers to the extent that it looks
ownership of the farmer.
During discussion Mr.Omokawa expressed his great concern over the
GATT agreement of WTO. Due to this agreement the government is bound
to import rice from the other countries, Which is very harmful for the
farmers. Japan signed the agreement in 1995-96 the price of rice was 700
Yen / kg at that time. The affects of GATT agreement reach on ground in 34 years and the prices of Rice fall down to 300 Yen / kg. Pakistan also
signed this agreement and we are also going to experience this menace in
near future.