Abstract
In Japan’s agricultural management, the average age of managers is rising, and the aging trend is notable, reaching a maximum of 69.7 years old by 2022. This aging population has highlighted the lack of successors and the challenges of agricultural management succession. Additionally, sales per employee and labor productivity are also attracting attention, and in recent years there has been a demand for efficiency and the introduction of new technology. In particular, improving labor productivity is an important issue for sustainable agricultural management. On the other hand, wage issues have been raised regarding the salaries of full-time agricultural workers as agricultural managers age. Due to these factors, agricultural policies place emphasis on supporting young farmers and promoting business succession, aiming to revitalize agriculture among regions and achieve sustainable agricultural management. In the future, along with technological innovation, securing labor and stabilizing management will remain challenges.
Self-employed agricultural work hours
The average age of Japanese agricultural managers has been increasing in recent years. From 2019 to 2022, the average age has decreased slightly from its overall high of 70.8 years in 2021, and is currently at 98.4% of its peak level. This aging trend is raising concerns about the stable succession of agricultural management. While the aging population is causing a serious shortage of successors and threatening the survival of agricultural businesses, there is an urgent need to encourage and support young farmers to enter the agricultural business. In addition, as the population ages, agricultural skills and experience of agricultural managers are accumulating, but the challenge is how to link this to the introduction of new technologies and sustainable agricultural management. In terms of policy, support measures for business succession and training of young farmers are being promoted, and flexible responses are required to address the different challenges faced by each region. In order to continue to advance and stabilize agriculture, it is important to create an environment in which managers of diverse generations can thrive.
The maximum is 10.1k hour[2021] of Rice 50.0ha or more, and the current value is about 94.8%
Employee
Looking at data from 2022 regarding salaries of full-time employees in Japanese agriculture, the average salary of full-time employees on farms with rice cultivation areas of 20.0 hectares or more was 2.95 million yen, and the highest amount overall was 5.76 million yen. This indicates that the larger the farm operation, the higher the wage level tends to be. Agricultural workers’ wages vary greatly depending on the region and the size of the operation, with large farms in particular generally paying higher wages reflecting the complexity of the management and the special nature of the work. The relatively high salary level of full-time agricultural workers reflects the increasing sophistication and demand for specialization in agricultural work. In recent years, due to advances in agricultural technology and the spread of IT, the demand for workers with specialized knowledge and skills has increased, and we have seen corresponding increases in wages. In addition, as the labor shortage becomes more serious, improving wage levels is becoming increasingly important in order to secure and retain workers in the agricultural industry. On the other hand, improving the profitability and labor productivity of agricultural management as a whole is a challenge, and there are concerns about the impact that wage burdens will have on management. There is a need to create a fair and sustainable wage system for both employers and employees, and policy support and improvements to working conditions are being provided. In the future, it is expected that adjustments and improvements will continue to be made to the levels and structures of full-time agricultural employees’ salaries in line with changes in the agricultural labor market and advances in technological innovation.
The maximum is 5.14k hour[2021] of Rice 50.0ha or more, and the current value is about 91%
Full-time employee
According to 2022 data on sales per person working in Japanese agriculture, farms with rice cultivation areas of 20.0 hectares or more recorded a high level of 2.55 million yen. This indicates a tendency for sales per person to increase as the scale of agricultural operations increases. This can be said to be the result of the expansion of agricultural management and the introduction of technology, which has improved labor productivity and increased management efficiency. In recent years, labor shortages and an aging population have become issues in agriculture, calling for efficient management, especially on large-scale farms. This has led to specialized management and investment in technology, and the creation of high added value for each individual crop. In addition, efforts are being made to protect the environment and to pursue sustainable agricultural management. On the other hand, achieving high sales requires farmers to have management skills and be sensitive to market trends. It is important to maintain stable management while responding flexibly to external factors such as price fluctuations and weather conditions. On the policy front, support is being provided to make agriculture more sustainable and competitive, and technological innovation and farmer education and training are being promoted. As agricultural management will continue to be required to achieve both efficiency and sustainability, it is expected that management strategies aimed at increasing sales per employee will be developed. It is important to take steps to promote agricultural development and revitalize local economies while responding to the introduction of new technologies and changes in the market.
The maximum is 3.99k hour[2019] of Rice 50.0ha or more, and the current value is about 98%
Agricultural work contract
According to 2022 data on labor productivity (value added per agricultural worker) in Japanese agriculture, a high level of 1.26 million yen was recorded for farms with rice cultivation areas of 20.0 hectares or more. This is an indicator of how much added value is created per worker, and reflects the efficient management achieved in large-scale agriculture. In recent years, labor productivity in agriculture has been improving through technological innovation and the introduction of IT. The introduction of automation and precision agriculture has improved work efficiency and crop quality control, increasing added value per worker. In addition, consideration for the environment and ensuring sustainability are also important, and there is a demand for improving labor productivity and the resulting economic benefits to be achieved at the same time. On the other hand, issues such as labor shortages and an aging population still exist, and measures to address these are needed. There is a need to develop young farmers and improve education and training for workers. In addition, support is provided that is tailored to the different agricultural characteristics and challenges of each region, with the aim of achieving both revitalization of the local economy and sustainability of agriculture. From a policy perspective, funding is being invested and research and development is being promoted to support technological innovation in agriculture and improve labor productivity. The aim is to maximize the potential economic benefits of agriculture and strengthen competitiveness both domestically and internationally. As technology continues to evolve and labor productivity improves, the realization of sustainable agricultural development and prosperous rural societies will remain important issues in the future.
The maximum is 509 hour[2019] of Rice 50.0ha or more, and the current value is about 17.1%
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