Innovation from Kumamoto: Inheriting a Farm as a Young Farmer

Ever since the Kumamoto Earthquake struck the Kumamoto area in 2016, JEN has provided emergency aid. As a part of the relief efforts after that, we have opened “Tomorrow`s Kumamoto School” a human resource development project that strives to solve various social problems, with the help of FUMiDASU, a general incorporated organization. From there, projects such as community cafes and promoting sales of products made of traditional vegetables from the area have been started to energize the Kumamoto region. For the second round of “Tomorrow`s Kumamoto School”, JEN, along with FUMiDASU and 4H Club, a club for young farmers, has been aiding young farmers inherit their family farms.

Japan`s aging population phenomenon, where over 66% of farmers are over the age of 65, is none like that of other countries. This holds true for Kumamoto as well, where more and more farms are being abandoned as a result. Other factors such as unsuccessful inheritance of the business to younger generations also play a role.

     

The 4H Club is run by Tomoka Sato, one of the first graduates of “Tomorrow`s Kumamoto School” and has been working to maintain sales of local farm and processed goods after the earthquake hit. Key members of the club, wanting to communicate the rewardingness of farming to younger generations and have them inherit their family farm while their parents are still healthy, have hosted workshops with the help of JEN and FUMiDASU, that help young farmers understand their business management situations and create future business plans with the assistance, the key members themselves acting as facilitators for running the program. The future of Kumamoto`s agriculture sector seemed bright as the young farmers were very serious about their farms and businesses.

“I had participated in agriculture technique training in the past, but this is my first time participating in training for running the farm from a business perspective.” “I was able to think about my vision, how I want to be in the future, and also how I can work to create a happy life for the staff members on the farm and also for my family.” “This was a valuable experience where I could talk to other fellow young farmers about running an agricultural business.” These are some of the statements the participants shared with us during the training session.

Many of those who participated in the workshop have been taking major steps towards inheriting their family farm. We will continue our support until early next year, and will continue to further refine the project models used for business inheritance support program through JEN`s evaluation support.

Young farmers holding commitment statements for completing their business inheritance plans by a certain deadline