TOKYO, Nov. 25 ― The number of farm households that signed family farming management agreement in Japan rose 0.8% to 57,605 in March from a year ago, data from the government has showed.
The family farming management agreement is a written form of agreement that establishes payment, days-off and responsibilities of farming operations among the family members.
The Shinzo Abe’s administration introduced the new scheme to improve the working conditions and gender problems in the family farm businesses. The government has encouraged them to take up the new scheme with the aid of special grants.
The number of farm households that signed the agreement totaled 28,000 in 2004, and surpassed to the 50,000 mark in 2012, according the agriculture ministry.