How to Utilize and Sell Abandoned Farmland
🌾 Do you have any farmland that has been left abandoned for years at your family home or on your parents' land?
“It's overgrown with weeds and impossible to manage.”
“I keep paying property taxes on it for nothing.”
—The number of people struggling with such abandoned farmland is rapidly increasing across Japan.
However, leaving it as is is a waste.
If you look at it differently, it can be a starting point for new agriculture as land in a natural state that has been free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers for years.
In this article, I have compiled everything I researched as an agricultural beginner, from the current state of abandoned farmland to how to reclaim it yourself, as well as how to lease or sell it.🌱
The Current State and Severity of Abandoned Farmland
The Spread of Farmland Degradation Across Japan
As of 2024, the area of abandoned farmland (degraded farmland) in Japan has reached approximately 257,000 hectares.
This is equivalent to about 12 times the area of Tokyo.
What is even more serious is the imbalance between the speed of its creation and its reclamation.
Every year, approximately 24,000 hectares are newly created as degraded farmland.
Meanwhile, only about 8,000 hectares are reclaimed for reuse.
The amount created is about three times the amount reclaimed.
(Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, "Current Status and Countermeasures for Degraded Farmland")
Furthermore, about 60% of degraded farmland is becoming forested, making reclamation almost impossible.
This means that only the remaining 40% has the potential to be reclaimed.
Why has abandonment progressed this far?
Behind the abandonment of farmland lie structural issues surrounding agriculture.
Due to the aging of farmers and a lack of successors, it is becoming difficult to continue operations.
Due to stagnant prices for agricultural products, it is difficult to make a profit even if farming is continued.
Farmland with poor conditions, such as in hilly and mountainous areas, is difficult for machinery to access and requires too much labor.
There is a burden of fixed asset taxes, but owners are unaware of the mechanisms for selling or leasing the land.
With the aging of owners, mowing and management work have become difficult, and there are concerns about the nuisance caused to surrounding areas.
If left unattended, the risks of landscape deterioration, pest outbreaks, and becoming a habitat for wildlife are also realistic problems.🐗
How to reclaim farmland yourself
Start with low-maintenance crops
It is not realistic to start large-scale farming on abandoned land all at once.
The smart starting point is to first try crops that are easy to manage and can grow even in poor soil.🌿
Sweet potatoes: Strong in poor soil and resistant to weeds. Can be harvested just by digging them up.
Buckwheat: Requires little effort and can be completed in a relatively short period from sowing to harvest.
Blueberries: Can be grown with little labor and are suitable for uses such as tourist picking.
Wild vegetables: Once rooted, they can be left alone and are relatively resistant to wildlife damage.
Fruit trees: After planting, there is little daily management, and work can be concentrated only during the harvest season.
You can approach these with the mindset of 'gradually restoring the land while growing crops.'
The trick is not to try to do everything at once, but to try it on a small plot and then expand.
The Option of Natural Farming and No-Till Cultivation
Farmland that has been left abandoned for many years abandoned farmland is also land where pesticides and chemical fertilizers have not been used for a long time.
This can actually be considered a favorable condition for natural farming.
Utilizing the work of microorganisms through no-till cultivation where the soil is not deeply tilled
Using weeds and mown grass as organic mulch to gradually improve the soil
Creating added value by producing crops without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers
There are even cases where abandoned tea plantations have been utilized as they are and branded as "naturally grown tea."
It is an interesting idea to turn the neglected state to your advantage and transform it into value.🍵
Restoring Soil Vitality with Green Manure Crops
Farmland that has not been maintained for many years may have compacted soil or imbalanced nutrients.
In many cases, crops will not grow well if planted directly into such soil.
This is where green manure crops come in handy.
Barley/Oats: Roots grow deep, loosening hard soil while increasing organic matter
Clover: Fixes nitrogen from the air into the soil via root nodules, increasing soil fertility
Sesbania: Grows quickly, allowing large amounts of organic matter to be plowed into the soil in a short period
Growing one or two crops of green manure before switching to your main crop will significantly improve subsequent growth.
"Not trying to rush into crop production" is often the best shortcut in the long run.
Controlling weeds with newspaper mulch
Practical methods for weed control on abandoned farmland
Abandoned farmland presents an initial challenge: the battle against vigorous weeds.
Using plastic mulch over a large area is both costly and labor-intensive.
That is why eco-friendly newspaper mulch is gaining attention. 🗞️
The basic steps are as follows:
Mow weeds down to 5cm or less from the ground using a brush cutter or sickle
Remove seed-bearing heads (such as goldenrod or foxtail) from the field
Lay down thick layers of newspaper and soak them thoroughly with water
Cover with 5 to 10cm of mowed grass, straw, or fallen leaves
Overlap the newspaper sheets by 10 to 20cm to prevent weeds from growing through the gaps
Since newspaper decomposes over time and returns to the soil, there is no need for the collection work required by plastic mulch.
It is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly weed control method.
Dealing with strong weeds that spread via underground stems
However, there are weeds that cannot be suppressed by newspaper mulch alone.
These are perennial plants that spread via underground stems or rhizomes.
Japanese pampas grass and cogon grass (deep roots that regenerate from underground even after mowing)
Mugwort and houttuynia (troublesome underground stems that spread horizontally)
Kudzu and bush killer (vines that spread while entangling surrounding plants)
Field horsetail (roots grow deep underground, making it difficult to remove even with herbicides)
For these, the effectiveness is greatly increased by repeating the process of 'mowing -> letting it recover -> mowing again' several times to weaken them before applying a newspaper mulch.
Instead of 'pulling all the weeds first,' the idea of blocking light to weaken them is important.
Leasing out using a farmland bank
Options when you cannot cultivate the land yourself
If it is difficult for you to resume farming yourself due to physical or time constraints, there is a method of leasing out the farmland.
In that case, you should utilize the Farmland Intermediate Management Organization (Farmland Bank).🏛️
A public institution established in each prefecture acts as an intermediary between the lessor and the lessee
Rent collection is secure, and it is less likely to lead to non-payment or disputes
You may be able to receive cooperation money (subsidies) if you meet certain requirements
You may be able to receive tax incentives such as reductions in fixed asset tax
On the other hand, you should also be aware of the disadvantages.
In principle, it is a long-term contract of 10 years or more, and it is difficult to cancel midway.
Also, depending on the region and conditions, there are cases where it is difficult to find a lessee.
The path of operating as a community garden
If the land is in an urban area or near a residential area, opening it as a community garden or rental farm is also an effective option.
You can divide the land into small plots and lease them to people who want to enjoy home gardening
You can earn a stable rental income every year
Since the tenant handles the management of the farmland, your own workload is significantly reduced.
It also functions as a place for the local community, which has social significance.
There are surprisingly many people in urban areas who want to enjoy weekend farming, so if the location is good, it may be difficult for vacancies to occur.
You might be able to turn your farmland from a "cost to maintain" into an "asset that generates income."🌻
When considering selling farmland
Knowing the three routes for selling farmland
If you find that "I cannot use it myself, and it is difficult to rent it out," there is also the option of selling it.
However, there are different rules for selling farmland compared to general residential land or buildings.
Selling as farmland: In principle, permission from the Agricultural Commission based on Article 3 of the Farmland Act is required. The buyer must meet certain requirements under the Farmland Act, such as being able to use the farmland appropriately and efficiently. It may be possible for not only those currently engaged in farming but also those newly entering the agricultural sector to acquire it if they meet the requirements.
Selling for the purpose of conversion: If the farmland can be used for purposes other than agriculture, such as for housing, shops, or parking lots, it may be possible to sell it to a buyer for the purpose of conversion after obtaining permission or submitting a notification under Article 5 of the Farmland Act. It is not necessarily the case that the seller must first convert it to residential land or similar before selling.
Consulting with the Agricultural Commission, etc.: If you cannot find a buyer for your farmland, first consult with your municipal Agricultural Commission. Depending on the region, they may be able to connect you with farmers in need of land through organizations such as the Farmland Intermediary Management Organization (Farmland Bank).
The feasibility and difficulty of converting farmland depend not only on the urban planning classification of whether the land is in an "urbanization promotion area" or an "urbanization control area," but also on whether it is designated as an agricultural promotion area (so-called blue land) within an agricultural promotion region.
For farmland within an urbanization promotion area, it may be possible to convert it by submitting a notification to the Agricultural Commission in principle.
On the other hand, farmland designated as an agricultural promotion area is land where agricultural use is prioritized, and in principle, conversion to non-agricultural use is strictly restricted.
In the case of conversion, after meeting certain requirements, it may be necessary to exclude the land from the agricultural promotion area—a process known as "agricultural promotion exclusion"—and then proceed with the farmland conversion permit procedures.
Additionally, if you convert farmland into a parking lot or material storage area without permission, you may be subject to construction suspension, orders to restore the land to its original state, or penalties for illegal conversion.
Simply leaving farmland uncultivated does not immediately lead to a significant increase in fixed asset tax.
However, if you receive a recommendation from the Agricultural Commission as idle farmland after certain procedures, the fixed asset tax may be increased.
Since the conditions for selling or converting farmland vary greatly depending on the land, it is important not to make decisions on your own, but to first check with your local Agricultural Commission or the agricultural administration office of your municipality.
A New Utilization Method: Farming-Type Solar Power Generation
A method gaining attention as a new way to utilize farmland is installing solar panels in the space above the farmland, known as Solar Sharing (Farming-Type Solar Power Generation).☀️
Farming-type solar power generation is a system where support pillars are erected on farmland, solar power equipment is installed above, and power is generated while continuing agriculture on the farmland below.
Can balance agriculture and power generation: While continuing farming, you can expect to improve agricultural management through selling electricity or self-consuming the generated power. However, profitability varies greatly depending on equipment costs, maintenance costs, and electricity sales conditions.
Shading can be useful depending on the crop: Solar panels can create moderate shade, which may mitigate the effects of high temperatures and strong sunlight. However, too much shade can hinder photosynthesis and potentially reduce yields, so designing panel placement and shading rates according to the crop and region is important.
Can be utilized while maintaining farmland: Unlike methods that permanently convert the entire farmland into a solar power plant, agriculture continues underneath. However, procedures for farmland conversion are required for the pillar sections supporting the power equipment, and equipment such as solar panels, mounting racks, and power conditioners may also be subject to fixed asset tax.
When installing farming-type solar power generation, in principle, you must obtain temporary conversion permission under the Farmland Act for the pillar sections of the solar power equipment.
Also, it is not just a matter of installing solar panels; it is important to appropriately continue agriculture underneath them.
Since the impact on crop growth and yield, the safety of the equipment, and the impact on surrounding farmland are also checked, it is important to consult with the Agricultural Commission or local government from the planning stage.
Farming-type solar power generation can be a new source of income for agricultural management if conditions are met, but it is not suitable for all farmland or crops.
When considering introduction, make a careful decision including the classification of the farmland, conversion conditions, compatibility with crops, and the profitability of the power generation equipment.
Summary: How to Utilize and Sell Abandoned Farmland
Abandoned farmland becomes a burden of landscape deterioration, pest outbreaks, and fixed asset taxes if left unattended.
However, by taking a little action, your options will expand in many ways.💪
Regenerating it yourself, leasing it through a farmland bank, turning it into a community garden, combining it with solar power, or selling it—all are correct answers.
If you are wondering, "I don't know what to do," first try making a phone call to your local Agricultural Commission or the farmland bank office.
Taking the first step is the best measure.🌾
#AbandonedFarmland #DegradedFarmland #FallowLand
