Impact of Broad-Based Regional Management on Community Business Forms in Hilly and Mountainous Areas

Abstract

This study examines the forms of community businesses resulting from the regional management aimed at the conservation of farmlands and rural societies in hilly and mountainous areas. It also examines the association among family farms, community-based farming, community businesses, and agricultural policy. Using a case study of hilly and mountainous areas, we obtained the following findings. First, a rural community business, covering multiple rural communities, was developed with the unique support of municipality staff. Second, direct payment subsidies from the central government play an important role in establishing the new business unit and promoting specialized local products. Third, establishing a broad-based relationship between the new organization and the existing rural community organizations is essential for sustaining the new organization. Fourth, despite the above three findings, securing external human resources for regional management remains a challenge. These results indicate that the management system depends on the official support of regional farming organizations.