An Analysis of Land-Use in Okayama Prefecture in terms of Industrial Crops

There are many limitations and difficulties in terms of expanding agricultural lands. Also, some other factors affect the agricultural lands that result in decreases such as climate change, erosion and misuse of the lands. It is clear that these developments in agricultural land use threaten the future of human welfare, social conditions, economic growth and food supply. In this study, we examined the land use and its significance that represent past agriculture and regional characteristics in the Chugoku region including Okayama prefecture and the Seto Inland Sea. Specifically, among the products called as industrial crops, such as cotton, pyrethrum, rush, tobacco, rapeseed, mulberry and tea, were adopted as the indicators. Currently, these landscapes can hardly be seen, only leaves of tobacco and tea can still be seen in mountainous areas. Even in agricultural land usewhich has almost disappeared now, it may have indirect influence as in the case of reclaimed land and rush products. Therefore, we reaffirmed in this study the reasons for their existence and their significance.

研究論文　環境管理工学科