Osaki Kōdo’s Traditional Water Management System
for Sustainable Paddy Agriculture

Action Plan for Globally Important
Agricultural Heritage System

June 2017
Osaki Region Committee for the Promotion of
Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

Contents
I. Period of the plan・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・1

II. Contents of the action plan・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・1
1. Threats and issues in conserving and passing down the agricultural system・・・1
2. Measures to address the issues and the roles of those involved・・・・・・・・4(1) Food and Livelihood Security(i) Securing and training of those who will take responsibility for the agricultural
system(ii) A move to value agriculture and farming villages, and the creation of mutual
support mechanisms(2) Agro-biodiversity(i) Momentum-building and the diffusion of techniques to disseminate and expand
environmentally symbiotic agriculture(ii) Introduction of evaluation methods which focus on living creatures and trainingof the next generation(iii) Conservation of genetic resources(3) Local and Traditional Knowledge Systems(i) Conservation of traditional water management(ii)The handing down of cultivation techniques adapted to yamase winds(4) Cultures, Value Systems and Social Organizations(i) Construction of a mechanism to pass on farming culture and share its value(ii) Development of successors to the food culture and dissemination hubs(iii) Conservation of village functions and continued sharing of value through local
workshops(5) Landscapes and Seascapes Features(6) Contribution to international society, etc.
3. Financial support methods・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 15
4. Evaluation methods・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 16

III. List of conservation activities・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・19

I.

Period of the plan
June 2017–March 2021 (5 years)

II. Contents of the action plan1.

Threats and issues in conserving and passing down the agricultural system(1) Food and Livelihood Security
The farmers of this district have made their living through a composite type of
agriculture, with rice-growing at its core but also including the production of vegetables fortheir own consumption and initiatives to process the agricultural produce harvested.
As for the situation of paddy agriculture in this district in recent years, however, theslump in rice prices due to rice surpluses against a background of higher rice yields andchanges in dietary habits has led to falling agricultural incomes, while the aging of farmers
and the shortage of successors become more pronounced. The traditional water
management which has been handed down until now was underpinned by farming
communities centered on farmers, and it is feared that an ever more severe shortage of
people to take over these responsibilities could impact the infrastructure which supports the
agricultural system.
■Weakening of the agricultural infrastructure due to the aging of the population and ashortage of successors(2) Agro-biodiversity
Farming families, who have supported secondary natural environments in this region
such as the network of waterways composed of rice paddies, water channels, and reservoirs,
as well as the igune, small woods surrounding residences, are currently facing structural
crisis, as laid out above. There is concern about the impact of factors such as an increase inabandoned and uncultivated fields, a dependence on agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, a
weakening of the structures underlying water management, and the introduction ofnonnative species to reservoirs on the biodiversity of the living creatures inhabiting thewetland ecosystems of the rice paddies, as well as on the continuation of paddy agriculture
carried out in harmony with nature, such as by the utilization of ecosystems to control
pests.
Furthermore, when it comes to the conservation of genetic resources such as the
traditional local vegetables which have supported the lives of farming families, against abackground of difficulties in cultivation and in the distribution of small volumes, thenumber of farmers cultivating such crops and the area under cultivation are also bothshrinking, giving cause for concern about the conservation and passing on of genetic
resources.
■Impact on ecosystems of the deterioration of secondary natural environments■Decrease in cultivation of traditional crops-1-(3) Local and Traditional Knowledge Systems
The paddy agricultural system of this district is distinguished by its accumulation of
wisdom about making ingenious use of water to create and hand down rich paddy
agriculture and complex wetland ecosystems in a harsh natural environment characterized
by the frequent occurrence of three types of climate-related disaster: cold damage causedby the Pacific wind (known as “yamase”), floods, and droughts.
On the other hand, this wisdom about water management is linked across all areasfrom upstream to downstream, and is effective when put into practice in a systematic way.
Due to the current aging of farmers and shortage of successors, a weakening of thestructures for passing down this wisdom is feared. Moreover, its importance is growing interms of the need to pass down resilience to deal with global climate change.
■Weakening of the structures for passing down water management techniques■Weakening of the structures for passing down techniques for dealing with cold weather
damage caused by yamase winds(4) Cultures, Value Systems and Social Organizations
A food culture involving the fermentation of the crops produced by the agricultural
system into sake, soy sauce, miso, and other items arose in this district, and a rich foodculture has been inherited of mochi (rice cakes) incorporating seasonal ingredients for eachannual event, as well as of catching fish such as loaches and crucian carps in the ricepaddies.
As well as the persistence to the present day of agricultural rituals to pray for the
blessing of water and a rich harvest and of folk beliefs such as the “Funagatayama Belief”
and the “Konpoji Belief,” which have played the role of linking together traditional
wisdom, a culture of “hot spring healing” developed in which people stayed at hot springs
during the agricultural off season to soothe the exhaustion of grueling agricultural work.
There are concerns that impediments to handing down such traditional cultures may arise.
On the other hand, coinciding with the population decline in neighborhoods and the
reduction in the successors, there is a danger of not being able to pass down the farming
culture (agricultural rituals, folk beliefs, folk performing arts, etc.) and the so cialorganizations that served to maintain the agricultural system and strengthen ties within thelocal community.
Moreover, there are fears about the erosion of the food culture due to increasing
externalization of dietary habits and the shift to nuclear households.
■Weakening of the structures for passing down farming cultures■Erosion of the food culture due to the externalization of Japanese dietary habits and theshift towards nuclear families■Decline in mutual aid functions-2-

(5) Landscapes and Seascapes Features
The landscapes of this district are distinguished by the mosaic-style use of land,composed of a patchwork of rice paddies, water channels, and igune woods surrounding
habitations, which makes possible the ingenious use of water. Such landscapes havecontributed to paddy agriculture adapted to the triple afflictions of cold damage caused byyamase winds, floods, and droughts, to the lives of farming families, and to theconservation of wetland-type ecosystems.
On the other hand, since the district’s residents were born within and grew up
surrounded by the rich and functional landscapes of Osaki’s arable lands (known as “Osaki
Kōdo”), they remain unaware of the value of such landscapes, which are left unutilized andare disappearing.
In particular, one of the key factors in the composition of the landscapes of this districtis the existence of igune, small woods surrounding habitations, and there are currently
around 24,300 households in the district which possess such igune. However, as the
housing environment undergoes major changes, an increasing number of households areexperiencing difficulties in their management, and it is feared that the wisdom about
mitigating storm and flood damage may not be passed down and that the function of thesewoods surrounding habitation as an integral whole with the surrounding rice paddies andwater channels, sustaining the biodiversity of agricultural districts, may be lost.
■Decline in awareness of conservation due to a forgetting of the value of landscapes■Disappearance of igune woods accompanying changes in the housing environment

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2.

Measures to address the issues and the roles of those involved

In a uniquely harsh natural environment, where three types of climate-related disaster,cold damage caused by yamase winds, floods, and droughts, occur so frequently that they
can be called triple afflictions, the paddy agricultural system of this district is an
accumulation of wisdom about the skillful use of water, passing on a rich paddy agriculture
and wetland-type complex ecosystems. In the present, it shows itself to be a highly resilient
and advanced agricultural system in terms of addressing crises and changes in agriculture
and ecosystems caused by climate change and societal factors.
Three types of “network” have supported the creation of this agricultural system andits transmission to the present day: Network of water management Network of people Network of wisdom
Putting these “networks” at the core of conservation and transmission to the next
generation makes the system a possible countermeasure to threats and issues which may
arise in the future. As shown below, alongside the participation of diverse actors fromwithin and outside the district, the mutual division of responsibilities will be clarified inorder to take such measures.
Network of water management
management
Expansion of the area covered by multifunctional conservation organizations
supporting water management infrastructure Participation of diverse actors in water management infrastructure, theconservation and regeneration of igune, and the revitalization andmanagement of seed nurseries
 Support for water management led by farmers, based on local community
organizations

Network of people
Expansion of mutually supportive network of people through interaction
between cities and farming villages
 Evolution of relationships of even greater trust between consumers andproducers (CSA, CSR)
 Promotion of GIAHS tourism, network of the treasures of Osaki Kōdo
(training of storytellers, promotion of farm stays, and promotion of inboundtourism) Sharing of value through the expansion of food culture (mochi, fermented
foods) from the primary to the sixth sectors-4-Network of wisdom
Expansion of sustainable rice-growing which supports wetland ecosystems
and residents’ lives
 Introduction of agricultural heritage certification system (consideration for
the environment + survey of living creatures)
 Monitoring of living creatures, underpinning the certification system
 Support for new agricultural workers (people who have relocated or returned
from the cities)
 Development of personnel through an agricultural heritage training program(creation of supplementary readers, activities of “Osaki Ikimono Club”, etc.)(1) Food and Livelihood Security
As the area producing some of Japan’s most representative varieties of rice, such as
Sasanishiki and Hitomebore, which were nurtured by the traditional management of water in
the agriculture of Osaki Kōdo, we will protect food safety and security. We will position our
agriculture as one which recognizes the importance of biodiversity and aims to coexist with
the natural environment, with the promotion of organically cultivated rice andenvironmentally friendly rice at the core. We aim to secure and train diverse people to takeresponsibility for this agricultural system, through the development of successors to farmers,
community-run agriculture, and agricultural corporations.
Furthermore, making use of alliances with city residents and NPOs, which are strengthof this district, we will build trust through interactions with consumers, implementing
initiatives to broaden and strengthen distribution mechanisms based on mutual support.
(i) Securing and training of those who will take responsibility for the agricultural system
The sustainable maintenance of the agricultural system will require a system that not
only fosters successors in individual farming households but also encourages the fostering of
farmers from more diverse backgrounds and their participation.
In Osaki Kōdo, we will continue to develop our village-based agriculturalorganizations through local discussions built on the shared territorial bonds of keiyakukō,and establish a supportive environment for young farmers by deploying machinery andobtaining farmland for the consolidation of farmland and farm work, as well as foster
successors of our traditional family farms. (New farmers in 2016: 39 farmers;
Village-based group farming in 2016: 321 organizations).
The region has also promoted exchange between urban consumers and ruralcommunities, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and food-oriented exchange with
its consumers. These efforts have, for example, attracted high school students from urban
areas to participate in assisting farm work. We seek to harness this network of support
expanding among not only the experienced but also young people and promote theestablishment of a mutually supportive scheme as well as enhance Sanchoku exchange
between producers and consumers that are led by consumer cooperatives that support
agriculture and producers.

-5-Initiative
Initiative (i)Securing andtraining of new
agricultural
workers
Network of people
Network of wisdom

Initiative (ii)Support for theestablishment ofcommunity-run
agriculture
Network of wisdom
Network of people

Content of initiative

Responsible
actors○Unification of supportive information
through partnership among organizations
that support the training of new
agricultural workers○Implementation of programs to train new◎Municipalities
agricultural workers led by Miyagi
・Agricultural
Prefectural Agriculture College.
Cooperative○Implementation of support programs for
Association
new farmers centered on・Miyagi
environment-friendly agricultural methods,
Prefecture
including organic farming (training on
cultivation methods and techniques andbusiness support provided by organic
farmers)○Training programs for existing agricultural
corporations engaged in group farming andsending agricultural business experts◎Agricultural
Cooperative○Implementation of support programs for
Association
obtaining and leasing agricultural・Miyagi
machinery and equipment and farmland
Prefecture○Support for the establishment of・Municipalities
community-run agriculture (consensus
building, farming plans, etc.)

Initiative (iii)○Implementation of agriculture support
Promotion of CSA 1
programs targeting urban residents for thefurther promostion CSA
Network of people○Drawing up and implementation of adissemination plan based on a survey andanalysis of existing CSA, in collaboration
with universities◎Committee
・Agricultural
Cooperative
Association
・Universities
・Municipalities

Financialsources

Municipalities*Use national
andprefectural
supportmeasures andprograms.

・Municipalities*Use national
and prefectural
supportmeasures andprograms

Committee◎Indicates the main organizations or bodies with a leadership role.

(ii) A move to value agriculture and farming villages, and the creation of mutual support
mechanisms
GIAHS accreditation will give us momentum to establish a certification scheme for
agricultural products and launch branding efforts underpinned by the strengths of local
products which were identified in the GIAHS-related efforts. The latter will involve sharing
information on and modifying traditional processing techniques and processed agricultural
products as well as providing support for sixth sector industrialization.
Initiative

Content of initiative

Initiative (i)○Consideration of the design of a rice
Establishment of acertification scheme, with the aim ofcertification scheme
establishing such a scheme(high-quality product + co-existence with
Network of wisdom
living creatures + certification ofcultivation by a public body)1

Responsible
actors◎Committee
・Agricultural
Cooperative
Association
・Miyagi
Prefecture
・Municipalities

CSA: Community Supported Agriculture, i.e. agriculture which is supported by the consumers-6-

FinancialsourcesCommittee

○Marketing and analysis regarding
branding
Initiative (ii)Support for sixth
sectorindustrialization,
making use of
traditional
techniques
Network of wisdom○Product development which aims to train avariety of people to take responsibility,e.g. through seminars to promote sixth
sector industrializatoin, support for◎Municipalities
entrepreneurs
・Miyagi
Prefecture○Product development involving the sixth
・Localindustry which draws on traditional
companies,
wisdom about processing (fermentation,
mochi, etc.), and support for facilities
development for such products

Municipalities*Use national
andprefectural
supportmeasuresandprograms◎Indicates the main organizations or bodies with a leadership role.

(2) Agro-biodiversity
Since the rich wetland ecosystems of this district not only provide a favorable living
environment for diverse living creatures, but are also intimately connected to agriculture ina mutually supportive relationship due to the fact that they nurture an abundance ofindigenous natural enemies which can keep rice paddy pests under control, we plan todisseminate and expand paddy agriculture which gives due consideration to biodiversity
and makes full use of ecosystem functions.
(i) Momentum-building and the diffusion of techniques to disseminate and expand
environmentally symbiotic agriculture
We will seek to conserve wetland ecosystems and improve agricultural revenue
through further technology development as well as disseminating and expanding
environmentally symbiotic paddy agriculture, including environment-friendly ricecultivation methods that are biodiversity-conscious and harness native natural enemies andthrough establishing a scheme to visualize the value of local efforts by using themonitoring-based evaluation method promoted under subsection (ii) below and to enable
the sharing of such value with consumers.
Initiative

Dissemination of andmomentum-building
towards
environmentally
symbiotic agriculture
Network of wisdom

Content of initiative

Responsible
actorsFinancialsources Research aiming at the formation of asystem for “Osaki Living Creature
Certification” (provisional name),making use of the results of amonitoring survey of living creatures
carried out by farmers
 Support with marketing and expanding
sales channels for those working on
environmentally symbiotic agriculture Expansion of initiatives through theuse of direct payments forenvironmentally friendly agriculture Dissemination of cultivation
techniques in environmentally
symbiotic agriculture◎Committee
・Agricultural
Cooperative
Association
・NPOs
・Municipalities

Committee◎Indicates the main organizations or bodies with a leadership role.

-7-

(ii) Introduction of evaluation methods which focus on living creatures and training of
the next generation
Evaluating the effects of expanding environmentally symbiotic paddy agriculture on
the conservation of agricultural biodiversity, we will join forces with citizens andconsumers to improve and disseminate monitoring survey methods to gain a sharedunderstanding of the value of wetland ecosystems including rice paddies.
Furthermore, we will build on the “Osaki Ikimono Club,” a program for local
children aged 7 -15 aiming to foster next-generation successors of the local
environment(2016 membership: 169 children; 2017 membership: 204 children)and engage
in region-wide efforts to promote the fostering of next-generation successors who will
understand and communicate to future generations the value of people’s work devoted tosupporting the agriculture system and local environment.
Initiative

Content of initiative

Initiative (i)Dissemination of
the monitoring ofliving creatures

 Holding of workshops on techniques formonitoring surveys of the rice paddies
 Surveying and analysis of the effectivenessof environmentally symbiotic agriculture
for the conservation of agro-biodiversity
 Surveying and creation of an evaluation
manual leading to the introduction of a“Living Creature Certification” system(provisional name) which certifies therichness of biodiversity

Network of people
Network of wisdom

Initiative (ii)Expansion ofprograms todevelop the next
generation
Network of wisdom

Responsible
actorsFinancialsources◎NPOs
・Committee
・Municipalities
・Agricultural
・NPOs
Cooperative
・Agricultural
Association
Cooperative
・Universities
Association
・Miyagi・Miyagi
Prefecture
Prefecture
・Municipalities

 Activities of the “Osaki Ikimono Club,” aprogram to develop the next generation,and training of those who will takeresponsibility
 Development of the next generation who
will take responsibility for agriculture
and
for
the
secondarynaturalenvironments
which
supporttheagricultural system, e.g. through water
management and management of ◎Committee・Committee
・NPOs
cultivated and remote mountainsides
・Municipalities
 Development of “interpreters” who will ・Municipalities ・NPOs
proactively disseminate the value of the
agricultural system
 Holding of study meetings to encourage
mutual understanding and collaboration
between accredited GIAHS areas
 Creation of archives (Japanese and English
versions) to share the results of study andactivities-8-

Initiative (iii)
Conservation
measures for rare
species inreservoirs, etc.
Network of water
management○Promotion of conservation of reservoirs
using subsidies for organizations thatconserve the multidimensional functions ofagriculture 2 etc.
○Expansion of the “foster parent system,”aiming at the enlargement of habitats forrare species○Holding of study meetings and symposia on
the conservation of reservoirs○Support for the development of techniques
for the extermination of nonnative species◎Municipalities
・NPOs
・Improvement
districts
・Miyagi
Prefecture

・Municipalities*Use national
andprefectural
supportmeasuresandprograms◎Indicates the main organizations or bodies with a leadership role.

(iii) Conservation of genetic resources
We will strive to conserve the species which have been selected and bred to cope withcold damage caused by yamase winds, and to secure species which can cope with evencolder weather. Moreover, when it comes to the genetic resources of traditional local
vegetables, which have supported people’s lives alongside the cultivation of rice, at thesame time as conserving these and passing them down, we will promote initiatives toconserve genetic resources in collaboration with local seedlings companies.
Furthermore, we plan to support both local production and consumption and thedevelopment of processed goods through expansion into the sixth sectors, to respond to thediversification of sales formats and issues with distribution.
Initiative

Content of initiative

Support for theconservation ofgenetic resources
and thediversification ofsales channels○Rearing of cold-resistant varieties, centeredon Miyagi Prefectural Furukawa
Agricultural Experiment Station○Instruction in hybridization avoidancetechniques and the conservation of genetic
resources in collaboration with local
seedlings companies, universities, andresearch bodies, etc.
○Support with the development of products
incorporating the sixth sectors (fermented
foods, sweets, etc.) in collaboration with
universities, research bodies, etc.

Network of wisdom

Responsible
actorsFinancialsources◎Committee
・Agricultural
Cooperative
Association
・Cooperative・MiyagistoresPrefecture
・Local・Municipalities
companies
・Miyagi
Prefecture
・Municipalities◎Indicates the main organizations or bodies with a leadership role.

(3) Local and Traditional Knowledge Systems
The paddy agricultural system which made farming possible in a challenging naturalenvironment where three types of climatic disaster, cold temperature damage from yamasewinds, flood damage, and drought damage, occur frequently, links upstream, midstream
2

Subsidies for organizations that conserve the multidimensional functions of agriculture (Payment program for
multifunctional agriculture): A program under which local governments provide subsidies for village -orientedorganization comprising local farmers and residents who are involved in activities t hat support the multidimensional
functions of agriculture and pursue improvements in the quality of local resources (farmland, water channels, farm roads,etc.). Recipient organizations use the subsidies to repair water channels and farm roads, which are c onsidered local
commons.

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and downstream areas, which are systematically organized in a way that enables theeffective sharing of knowledge and practice of water resource management. At the sametime, by maintaining the long-established multi-layered system to conserve and pass on theingenious water management infrastructure under the initiative of farmers, we can promote
the creation of a mechanism encouraging the participation of diverse actors.
(i) Conservation of traditional water management
In order to conserve the local water management scheme, we will seek to pass down
management technologies within farmer-led water management organizations founded
upon keiyakukō. Given that 66 percent of the area is granted subsidies under direct payment
programs to support the multidimensional functions of agriculture, such programs can beharnessed to share knowledge at workshops (as described in subsection (4) (iii)) and to
facilitate the participation of a diversity of local actors (including non-farmers) toparticipate in conserving the water management infrastructure and chain of knowledge.
Initiative

Content of initiative○Support for maintaining organizations forthe conservation of water management
infrastructure that are founded upon
keiyakukō○Administrative support for water
management infrastructure management
Maintaining
organizations and information-sharingorganizations foramong organizations
the conservation of○Construction of environmentallywater management
conscious techniques at existing water
infrastructure
management infrastructure, holding of
short courses in techniques, installation
Network of watersupportmanagement
Network of wisdom ○Handing down of the narrated
experiences and methods of response ofelderly farmers to learn traditional water
distribution rules, such as rotational
irrigation, in times of weather-related
disaster such as cold damage or drought

Responsible
actors◎Municipalities
・Miyagi
Prefecture
・Improvement
districts

Financialsources・Improvement
districts
・Municipalities※¨Use national
andprefectural
supportmeasuresand programs◎Indicates the main organizations or bodies with a leadership role.

(ii) The handing down of cultivation techniques adapted to yamase winds
At the same time as supporting the handing down of traditional agricultural methods
such as the management of water deep underground, irrigation with lukewarm water, andthe creation of healthy soil using manure, we will promote the development of the next
generation, who will conserve the links with traditional wisdom.
Initiative
Development of
instructors incultivation
techniques
Network of wisdom

Responsible
actors○Handing down and sharing of techniques ◎Miyagi
Prefecture
and information in order to reduce
damage caused by cold or heat・Municipalities
・Agricultural○Implementation of a joint survey about
Cooperative
the district’s agriculture at agricultural
Association
senior high schools within the district,and consideration of a program aiming to ・NPOs
Content of initiative- 10 -

FinancialsourcesMiyagiPrefecture

pass on traditional agricultural methods

・Improvement
districts◎Indicates the main organizations or bodies with a leadership role.

(4) Cultures, Value Systems and Social Organizations(i) Construction of a mechanism to pass on farming culture and share its value
Agricultural rituals, folk beliefs, folkloric performing arts, and so on, which haveplayed the role of strengthening ties within villages, are the base which supports the
agricultural heritage system. Looking to pass on this farming culture, we will move forwardwith the collection of basic information which links the past with the present and can serve
as a bridge to the future, and make use of this information in the field of education about
the agricultural heritage system, handing down the value of this farming culture and therest of the agricultural heritage system to the next generation.
Initiative
Carrying out of acomprehensive
survey andutilization of thisin the educational
field
Network of wisdom
Network of people

Content of initiative

Responsible
actorsFinancialsources○Creation of an ethnography, making useof the results of a comprehensive survey
carried out with research bodies fromuniversities, etc. and researchers into
local history, and support for passing on
farming culture○Training of young local historians○Creation of mechanisms for passing on
this culture within public education
institutions and lifelong learning◎Researchbodies・NPOs
・Committee
・Universities
・Municipalities

・Committee
・Universities* to beconducted asa part ofacademic
research◎Indicates the main organizations or bodies with a leadership role.

(ii) Development of successors to the food culture and dissemination hubs
The handing down of techniques within households and the district is important in thedevelopment of successors to the food culture. Taking into consideration the formation
process of the food culture, in which not only government bodies but also diverse actors
participated, we will pass on the wisdom of this food culture, which involves processing
techniques such as fermentation, to farmers intending to expand into the sixth sectors andothers, and promote the creation of mechanisms for growth.
Initiative

Holding ofresearch courses infermentation andfood culture
Network of wisdom

Content of initiative

Responsible
actors○Holding of study meetings about theformation process of the food culture,◎Committee
centered on fermented foods, and cooking
・Agricultural
methods, in collaboration with the district
Cooperative○Holding of a “Food Culture Festival,”
Association
etc., about local cuisine, centered on・Municipalities
fermented foods◎Indicates the main organizations or bodies with a leadership role.

- 11 -

FinancialsourcesCommittee

(iii)Conservation of village functions and continued sharing of value through local
workshops
The nucleus of the traditional water management in this district has been a village
function, a water management structure led by farmers, based on the traditional social
structure of local community organizations known as Keiyakukō. Therefore, in order to put
a stop to the decline of village functions due to the aging of farmers responsible for th ework in farming villages and a shortage of successors, we will construct mechanisms togenerate a diversity of links, such as migration and settlement from outside the district andexchanges between cities and farming villages, to complement a part of village functions.
Furthermore, we will continue the workshops and seminars that we have held (74times in 2016-2017) not only to share and visualize information but to increase local
interest, involve more people and harness their networks so that we can collaborate withefforts described in subsection (5) and continue efforts to share an understanding of thevalue of the diverse resources that a GIAHS embraces.
Initiative

Content of initiative

Responsible
actors○Carrying out of a baseline survey into theSurvey into andmutual aid function of Keiyakukōs andutilization of theresilience against each type of disastermutual aid function ○Holding of workshops and seminars on◎Committeeof Keiyakukōs
・Municipalities
local self-governance and disaster
Network of wisdom
prevention, making use of the functionsof Keiyakukōs, and supporting their
Network of people
activities

FinancialsourcesCommittee◎Indicates the main organizations or bodies with a leadership role.

(5) Landscapes and Seascapes Features
With the idea of considering the entire Osaki Kōdo to be a “field museum,” andadding the viewpoint clearly identified in our GIAHS-related activities that our “agriculture
system” is a valuable asset to conventional green-tourism and eco-tourism frameworks, wewill be able to create tours to visit the diverse resources embraced by a GIAHS, including
the rice paddies, water channels and igune that compose the landscape that balances nature
conservation and economic circulation.
Furthermore, we will implement initiatives to pass down traditional mitigation
functions to future generations. This includes re-evaluating local reciprocal functions andsupporting new efforts to maintain and restore GIAHS resources, such as igune, throughthe participation of local residents, companies and other various actors.
Initiative

Initiative (i)Examination of the“field museum”
concept
Network of wisdom
Network of people

Content of initiative○Examination of the “Osaki Field Museum
Concept” (provisional name)
Establishment of a committee to examine
the conservation of the district’s
landscapes and the use of resources as awhole, and formulation of a policy about
the nature of sustainable conservation
methods and support, looking 100 years
into the future- 12 -

Responsible
actorsFinancialsources◎Committee・Committee
・Universities
・Miyagi・Miyagi
Prefecture
Prefecture
・Municipalities
・Municipalities

Initiative (ii)
Implementation of
GIAHS tourism
Network of people

Initiative (iii)
Promotion ofconservation
activities throughthe participation ofdiverse actors
Network of people

Initiative (iv)
Introduction of
traditional
conservation andmanagement
methods○Promotion of exchanges between thecities and farming villages, with GIAHS
tourism at the core
 Implementation of tour programs of
GIAHS resources and preparation of
the environment (promotion offarmstays and promotion of inboundtourism) Introduction of experiences ofconservation of the agricultural system
to the programs of exchanges with
consumers run by cooperative stores,
etc. (agricultural tasks, surveys ofliving creatures, agricultural rituals,etc.) Developmentoffacilities
andsubsidies for renovations in order topromote farmstays○Implementation of projects to pass on theuse of local ingredients and food culture○Development of “interpreters,” such as
NPOs, to transmit the value andimportance of agro-biodiversity◎Committee・Committee・NPOs
・Municipalities
・Miyagi・Miyagi
Prefecture
Prefecture
・Municipalities,○Support by companies, consumer groups,
etc. for conservation and transmission○Establishment of conservation activity
organizations for GIAHS resources(volunteers) Equipment of an inquiry point for
information about conservation andsupport for activities, and at the sametime as support for conservation
activities initiated by communities or
local residents, the establishment ofconservation activity organizations for
GIAHS resources Volunteer development courses(courses on management tasks)
 Consideration of mechanisms such as
ordinances to conserve landscapes
which include igune woods◎Committee・Committee
・Forestry
・Municipalities
cooperatives
・Local・NPOs
companies
・Municipalities○Creation of mechanisms for theconservation of igune
Creation of support mechanisms forregeneration activities through theparticipation of city residents andcompanies in the maintenance of igune
and through new planting

Network of wisdom◎Indicates the main organizations or bodies with a leadership role.

- 13 -◎Committee
・Forestry・Committee
cooperatives
・NPOs
・NPOs
・Municipalities
・Municipalities

(6) Contribution to international society, etc.
In a uniquely harsh natural environment, where three types of climate-related disaster,cold damage caused by yamase winds, floods, and droughts, occur frequently, the paddy
agricultural system of this district is an accumulation of wisdom about the ingenious use ofwater, passing on a rich paddy agriculture and wetland-type complex ecosystems. It shows
itself to be a highly resilient and advanced agricultural system in terms of addressing crises
and changes in agriculture and ecosystems caused by climate change and societal factors, andwe believe that it possesses wisdom that could contribute to the achievement of the 17
Sustainable Development Goals set out by the UN.
Taking advantage of the opportunity provided by accreditation as an agricultural heritage
system, at the same time as moving ahead with the sharing of wisdom through a broad range
of international exchange opportunities and contributions, with the agricultural system of this
district as the “Osaki model,” we will promote initiatives to raise its value even further.

Planning of international conferences on theconservation of agro-biodiversity and theInitiative (i)utilization of ecosystem services,
Creation of forums opportunities for overseas farmers to study
for sharing
the water management of this district,
Network of wisdom international exchanges with local
governments or NPOs from Korea,
Network of people
Thailand, and other foreign countries, andinvitations to international conferences

Responsible
actors◎Committee
・NPOs
・Agricultural
Cooperative
Association
・Improvement
districts
・Universities
・Miyagi
Prefecture
・Municipalities○Sharing of the cultivation techniques
adapted to cope with disasters which
support the agricultural system of this
district, with ingenious water
management at their core, and of theconstruction of this water management
structure with the countries of Southeast
Asia and Africa, etc., which are linked by
the use of flooded fields or rice growing(internships)○Dissemination of information about
GIAHS◎Committee
・NPOs
・Agricultural
Cooperative
Association
・Improvement
districts
・Universities
・Miyagi
Prefecture
・Municipalities

Initiative

Initiative (ii)Dissemination ofagricultural
systems
Network of wisdom

Content of initiative◎Indicates the main organizations or bodies with a leadership role.

- 14 -

Financialsources・Committee
・Miyagi
Prefecture
・Municipalities

・Committee
・Miyagi
Prefecture
・Municipalities

3.

Financial support methods

While seeking to utilize the existing national support systems for the financial supportof the initiatives in 2 above, they will be taken forward with support (including personnel
support for projects, as well as research and dissemination) from the prefecture, andsupport (including systems such as the autonomous settlement zone concept, as well as
support for projects and personnel) from the constituent municipalities (Osaki City,
Shikama Town, Kami Town, Wakuya Town, Misato Town) of Osaki Region Committee for
the Promotion of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (hereafter, “theCommittee”). Moreover, bodies other than the prefecture and municipalities which make up
the Committee will work on conservation activities, in line with the role of each, and takethis action plan forward.
In addition, through the consideration of systems of tax-exempt donations to local
revitalization projects (for individuals and corporations) 3, various certification systems, and afund system made up of a part of the profits from GIAHS tourism, etc., we will plansustainable ways to take this action plan forward.

3

Furusato nozei (hometown tax) program: A program that enables taxpayers to materialize their wishes to contribute totheir hometown or support specific areas that they feel attached to. Under the program, taxpayers offer a donat ion to the
local or prefectural government of their choice and in return are entitled to residential tax and income tax deductions.
Donations are allocated to the program designated by the donator.

- 15 -

4.

*Benchmark year: 2016

Evaluation methods

Thinking behind and basis
for the index(1) Food and Livelihood Security
Index

Number of new
agricultural workers
trainedCumulative total of new
agricultural workers
certified by municipalities’“Plan for Young People, etc.
to Begin Working inAgriculture”

Number ofcommunity-run
agricultural bodies
developed

Cumulative total ofcommunity-run agricultural
bodies developed

Conduct a survey about
CSA

Whether or not a survey
about CSA and analysis of
the results have been
completed

Number of certifications

Cumulative total ofcertifications based on acertification scheme

Number of products
developed throughexpansion into the sixth
sectors

Cumulative total of products
developed due to support
projects

Evaluation method
The Committee willcompile the actual figuresfrom each municipality
each year, evaluate thetotal against the plan as
either “achieved” or“unachieved,” and makethe result public on its
websiteThe Committee willcompile the actual figuresfrom each municipality
each year, and make thetotal public on its website
as either “achieved” or“unachieved” incomparison with theprevious year
The Committee will bring
together the results andanalyses of surveys carriedout by the final year, turnthe outcomes into a
detailed text, and make thispublic on its website
The Committee will gain
an understanding of thenumber of certifications in
the final year, evaluate thisagainst the goal as“achieved” or“unachieved,” and makethe result public on eachwebsiteThe Committee will
evaluate the number of
products developed eachyear through expansion
into the sixth sectors ofwhich it is aware against
the plan as “achieved” or“unachieved,” and makethe result public on its
websiteStatus quo

39 people

335 bodies
certifications

 products(2) Agro-biodiversity

Area of cultivation ofenvironmentally friendly
rice

Area of cultivation(wet-field rice) of organic
rice, rice which does not use
agricultural chemicals or
chemical fertilizers, or ricewhich reduces the use ofsuch chemicals- 16 -The Committee willcompile data from each
agricultural cooperativeand municipality each year,
evaluate this against theplan as “achieved” or“unachieved,” and make

3,679 haIndexThinking behind and basis
for the index

Evaluation method

Status quo

the result public on its
websiteThe Committee will add up
the number of places inwhich a monitoring survey
Cumulative total of places in is carried out by farmers’
Number of places inwhich monitoring of thegroups in the mid-term andwhich monitoring isliving creatures of the rice
final years, evaluate this places
carried out with thepaddies is carried out withagainst the plan as
participation of farmers
the participation of farmers“achieved” or“unachieved,” and makethe result public on its
websiteThe Committee will
evaluate the number ofmembers of Osaki Ikimono
Cumulative total ofClub of which it is aware
Number of members ofmembers of Osaki Ikimono
each year against the plan
169 people
Osaki Ikimono ClubClub
as “achieved” or“unachieved,” and makethe result public on its
websiteThe Committee willconduct on-site surveys
Visual observation ofeach year to identify
Habitats for rare species
reservoirs, etc. which have
habitats, evaluate the result
Visualsuch as Pseudorasbora
been identified as habitats of as “identified” orobservation
pumila pumila
Pseudorasbora pumila“unidentified,” and makepumilathe result public on its
website using photographic
and other data
The Committee willcompile data from each
agricultural cooperative
Area of cultivation eachand municipality in the
Area of cultivation of
fiscal year
mid-term and final years,
traditional local*Area of cultivation is based
0.2 haevaluate this against thevegetableson the Basic Ledger forplan as “achieved” orFarmland“unachieved,” and makethe result public on its
website(3) Local and Traditional Knowledge Systems
The Committee will collectinformation on the area on
Proportion of agricultural
the area of agricultural land
Proportion of agricultural promotion areas andwhich is the object of suchland covered by water
agricultural land which are
grants each year, evaluate
66%
management conservation the object of multifunctional this against the plan asorganizations
payment grants at the end of “achieved” oreach fiscal year
“unachieved,” and makethe result public on eachwebsiteThe number of
Cumulative total of people
people completing trainin
Number of people trained completing training in
g held by peoplein cultivation techniques
cultivation techniques (crop:
each agricultural
rice)
cooperative,- 17 -

IndexThinking behind and basis
for the index

Evaluation method

Status quo

municipality, or the Com
mittee will
be compiled each year, evaluatedagainst the plan as“achieved” or“unachieved,” and makepublic on
websites(4) Cultures, Value Systems and Social Organizations

Number of storytellers
trainedCumulative total of people
completing training todevelop storytellers

Number of cases offarming culture passed
down

Check of the current status
regarding the passing downof the 50 cases of farming
culture listed in thisapplication

Number of people
completing researchcourses in fermentationand food culture

Cumulative total of people
completing research courses
in fermentation and foodcultureThe number of people
completing trainings heldby each municipality, theCommittee, etc. will becompiled in the mid-term
and final years, comparedwith the previous year,
evaluated as “achieved” or“unachieved,” and makepublic on websites
The Committee will carryout a survey in the final
year, evaluate the results
against the plan as“achieved” or“unachieved,” and makethis public on its website
The Committee willcompile the number ofpeople completing courses
in the mid-term and final
years, evaluate the result
against the plan as“achieved” or“unachieved,” and makethis public on its website

 people

50 cases cases(5) Landscapes and Seascapes Features

Number of GIAHS
tourists

Number of consumers
visiting agricultural
cooperatives and annual
number of participants in
GIAHS tourism

Number of houses withigune woods

Number of buildings
observed visually using GIS
information- 18 -The Committee willcompile the number ofparticipants from each of
the implementing bodies
each year, evaluate thisagainst the plan as“achieved” or“unachieved,” and makethe result public on its
websiteThe Committee will carryout surveys in the mid-term
and final years, evaluate
the results as “increased,”“maintained,” or“decreased,” and make thispublic on its website

3,633
people24,300housesThinking behind and basis
for the index(6) Contribution to international community, etc.
Index

Invitations tointernational
conferences

Number of overseas
trainees hosted

Evaluation method

The Committee will gain
an understanding of therecord of invitations to
Whether or not invitations tointernational conferencesinternational conferences,held by the Committee,etc., in fields which are
prefecture, eachelements of agriculturalmunicipality, or
heritage, as well as
agricultural bodies in thebiodiversity, are issued/
final year, evaluate thereceived
result as “invited” or “notinvited,” and make thispublic on its website
Cumulative total of overseas The Committee will com
trainees hosted on courses
pile the number of overs
related to the agricultural
eas trainees hosted by ea
system held by landch body each year, evalu
improvement districts,
ate this against the plan
agricultural cooperatives,
as “achieved” or “unachi
Miyagi Prefecture,
eved,” and make the resu
municipalities, or thelt public on its website
Committee

Status quo

23 people

Evaluation and publishing of the results for each standard as well as overall
In the mid-term year and before revising the action plan for the next term, the Committee
will carry out a comprehensive evaluation and verification of the status regarding theachievement of, and the impact of, each of the six standards (including one discretionary
standard) and of the totality. These results will be made public on its website. Moreover,when revising the action plan for the next term, where it is thought that the initiatives for aparticular index need to be improved, the plan will be revised to include improvements andpolicy responses, and made public on its website.

III. List of conservation activities
Please refer to the attachment.

- 19 -

Action Plan for Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System
List of Preservation Activities
Osaki Region, Miyagi PrefectureStandard

1. Food andLivelihood
SecurityThreats and issues

Efforts to address

Goal









Support for theestablishment ofcommunity-run
agriculture











Number of communityrun agricultural bodies
335 bodies 400 bodies
developed (cumulative
total)



Conduct a survey
about CSA－

completed

Number of certifications(cumulative total)－

300 cases－

50 cases

3,679 ha4,700 ha－100 places

Agricultural Cooperative
Association, prefecture,municipalities

Committee, Agricultural
Cooperative Association,
universities, municipalities

Establishment of acertification scheme

Committee, Agricultural
Cooperative Association,
prefecture, municipalities

Support for expansion
into the sixth sectors

Prefecture, municipalities,
local companies









Number of products
developed through expansion into thesixth sectors(cumulative total)

Dissemination of andmomentum-building
towards environmentally
symbiotic agriculture

Committee, Agricultural
Cooperative Association,
NPOs, prefecture,municipalities











Area of cultivation ofenvironmentallyfriendly rice (actual
annual total)

39 people 100 people









Number of places inwhich monitoring iscarried out with theparticipation of
farmers (cumulative
total)

Expansion of programs to
Committee, NPOs,
develop the nextmunicipalities
generation









Number of members of Osaki Ikimono Club169 people 250 people(cumulative total)

Conservation measures
for rare species inreservoirs, etc.

NPOs, improvement districts,
prefecture, municipalities

Support for theconservation of genetic
resources and thediversification of sales
channelsCommittee, Agricultural
Cooperative Association,
cooperative stores, local
companies, prefecture,municipalities

Committee, NPOs,
Agricultural Cooperative
Association, universities,
prefecture, municipalities

Development oforganizations for the
Improvement districts,
conservation of the water
prefecture, municipalities
management
infrastructure

3. Local andTraditional
Knowledge
Systems

Indices
Status quo

Agricultural Cooperative
Securing and training of
Association, prefecture,
new agricultural workers
municipalities

Expansion of themonitoring of living
Impact on ecosystems creaturesfrom the deteriorationof secondary naturalenvironments

Decrease incultivation of
traditional crops

Implementation period
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Number of new
agricultural workers
trained (cumulative
total)

Weakening of the
agricultural
infrastructure due to Promotion of CSA
the aging of the
population and ashortage of successors

2. Agrobiodiversity

Implementation bodies

Weakening of thestructures for passing
down water
management
Survey into andtechniques
utilization of the mutual
aid function of keiyakukō Committee, municipalities
local community
organizations

Weakening of theAgricultural Cooperative
structures for passing Development of
Association, improvement
down techniques for instructors in cultivation
districts, NPOs, prefecture,
dealing with cold
techniquesmunicipalities
weather damage

Habitats for rare species such as
Pseudorasbora pumila
pumila

Visualobservatio
n

same









Area of cultivation of
traditional local
vegetables (actual
annual total)

0.2 ha0.3 ha Proportion ofagricultural land
covered by water
management
infrastructure
conservation
organizations (actual
annual total)

66%

71%

－

300 people















Number of people
trained in cultivation
techniques (cumulative
total)

Standard

Threats and issues

Efforts to address

Carrying out of a
Weakening of thecomprehensive survey
structures for passing
and utilization of this in
down farming cultures
the educational field

Erosion of food
4. Cultures, Value culture due to theHolding of research
Systems and Social externalization ofcourses in fermentation
Organizations
dietary habits and theand food culture
shift towards nuclear
families

Implementation period
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Committee, NPOs, researchbodies, universities,municipalities







Indices
Status quo－

50 people

Number of cases offarming culture passed
down

50 casessame－

100 people









Number of people
completing research courses in fermentationand food culture(cumulative total)

Survey into andutilization of the mutual
Decline in mutual aid aid function of keiyakukōCommittee, municipalities
functions
local community
organizations (repeatedfrom above)

















Committee, universities,
Agricultural Cooperative
Examination of the "field
Association, improvement
museum" concept
districts, NPOs, Miyagi
Prefecture, municipalities

Implementation of
GIAHS tourism
5. Landscapes andSeascapes
FeaturesPromotion ofCommittee, forestry
conservation activities
cooperatives, NPOs,
through the participation
municipalities
of diverse actors

Felling of igune
woods accompanying
changes in the
housing environment Introduction of
traditional conservationand management
methods

－

















-

3,633
peopleNumber of houses with 24,300
igune woods
housesCommittee, forestry
cooperatives, NPOs,
municipalities



Creation of forums toshare knowledge(invitations to
Committee, NPOs,
international conferences,
Agricultural Cooperativeetc.)
Association, improvement
districts, universities,
prefecture, municipalities
Dissemination ofagricultural systems－

Number of GIAHS
tourists (actual annual
total)

Committee, NPOs, Miyagi
Prefecture, municipalities

Goal

Number of storytellers
trained (cumulative
total)

Committee, Agricultural
Cooperative Association,municipalities

Decline maintenancefunction due to aforgetting of the valueof landscapes

6. Contribution tointernational
community, etc.

Implementation bodies











same



Invitations to international
conferences

10,000peopleNumber of overseas
 trainees hosted(cumulative total)－

Invitations

23 people 200 people