Although there is a reasonable system for preservation of farmland, the operation of the system has the characteristic of focusing on controlling the non-agricultural supply of farmland to secure farmland in terms of size. The farmland classified as ‘superior’ is still conversed in large scale and there are many unplanned developments. Farmland conversion is initiated by the local government, but the local government’s concept and objective of farmland preservation are not clearly defined, and farmland management on an aggregate basis becomes difficult.
In preserving and managing farmland, problems arise not because of an erroneous design of the farmland management system but because of the invariable perception of changing circumstances. Although the current system aims to preserve farmland centering around ‘superior’ farmland within an agriculture promotion area(conservation area), there is a limitation in that the concept as to what is the appropriate level of preservation is not properly established.
This research reviewed changes in the total amount of farmland and the actual state of management, derived differences and implications concerning domestic and overseas farmland preservation and management through a survey of cases in major advanced countries, and analyzed the demand outlook and the possibility of introducing a management system on an aggregate basis from technical, systematic, financial and legal aspects.
The major findings of this research are as follows:
First, the current size of the ‘agricultural promotion area,’ which can be categorized as the farmland for preservation, is 810,000ha out of the total farmland, and we should accomplish the target rate of food self-sufficiency with the agricultural promotion area only. Therefore, in order to implement a new policy objective, we need to prepare a method of securing farmland on a total amount basis and prepare a legal and systematic action plan.
Second, we need to understand farmland management as a concept which includes investment and financing for efficient use of farmland beyond the scope of management of ownership and use (lease and rent). When such a legal system and change in the perception are complete, the effectiveness of the plan for farmland use will be improved.
Third, up until now a control-oriented preservation policy has constituted the main pillar of farmland preservation in our country. But in order to accomplish the crucial national objective of securing food when there is continuous pressure to convert farmland and mitigate regulations, preserving farmland through incentives should be contemplated. For example, adopting a taxation system providing tax benefits to those who participate in farmland preservation projects should be considered positively.