Studies on Optimum Size and Optimum Farm Organization for Japanese Pears Farm

In this paper, we discussed the optimum farm size and optimum farm organization for pear growing. The long-term objective of farm business is to raise the residual net return to a full-time farm laborer working the longest time possible. The optimum farm size is determined by maximization of net return to one farm laborer, taking into consideration such external and internal factors as climates, prices, techinical devices, farm organization and others. In this paper we estimated the optimum farm sizes for pear growing in Togo town and Tohaku town in Tottori prefecture by the parametric linear programming model. The results are as follows: (1)The optimum pear-farm per laborer in Togo town is 33.7 ARES, whereas in Tohaku is 36.3 ARES. But the actual farm sizes are smaller than the optimums due to the farmers' strong preference to risk aversion, and due to improper land conditions, lack of capitals, insufficient labor market and other factors. (2)In case of Togo town, the optimum farm size per laborer is 14.0 ARES for "Nijuseiki pears" on slope land, 2.8 ARES for "Nijuseiki pears" in green house, 10.0 ARES for "Okusankiti," and 6.9 ARES for "Shinkou," while in Tohaku town the optimum is 12.7 ARES for "Nijuseiki pears" on flat land, 2.5 ARES for "Nijuseiki pears" in green house, 13.1 ARES for "Housui," and 8.0 ARES for "Sinkou. (3)The above results suggest the following for development and reformation of pear Farms in the studied areas. 1)The land consolidation is necessary in Togo town to economize the labor force and to Raise the optimum farm size. 2)For large pear farms in Tohaku town, growing "Housui" and "Sinkou" pears instead of "Nijuseiki" will help raise the net return. 3)In both areas ,obtaining enough labor forces during the busiest season is one of most Important factors to realize the optimum sized farming.