The Joy of Work and The Delight of Nurturing: From Social Farming to Universal Farms Professor, Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University Yukisato YOSHIDA

It might come as a surprise, but people with disabilities could help address the labor shortage in agriculture. The concept of Social Farming brings together these two fields, creating opportunities for growth. This collaboration could lead to a society where everyone can work with dignity, be themselves, and live independently through the power of food. In this interview, we spoke with Professor Yukisato Yoshida of the Graduate School of Horticulture about the current state and future potential of Social Farming.

Agricultural-welfare collaboration: Opportunities for growth

Could you explain what agricultural-welfare collaboration is?

Social Farming is an initiative that empowers people with disabilities to actively participate in society with confidence and a sense of purpose through activities in the agricultural sector. By welcoming people with disabilities as part of the workforce, this initiative also addresses pressing challenges in agriculture, such as labor shortages and the aging population. The scope of agriculture also includes the ‘sixth industry*,’ and welfare extends beyond supporting people with disabilities to include individuals facing difficulty in daily life, such as older adults with dementia or those who are socially withdrawn.

*The sixth industry: A business model that integrates primary industries (e.g., farmers and fishing) with secondary industries (e.g., processing) and tertiary industries (e.g., sales and services. For example, farmers may process their produce into food products and sell them directly to consumers or offer them through tourism and hands-on experiences.

What is the significance of collaboration between agriculture and welfare?

Jobs available to people with disabilities are often limited to simple, repetitive indoor tasks, with little consideration given to their individual strengths and weaknesses. In contrast, farms offer a wide range of tasks, from dynamic outdoor activities requiring physical effort to precise indoor work, allowing individuals can find roles that suit their abilities and preferences. There’s a common misunderstanding that people with intellectual disabilities stop developing mentally. In reality, they continue to grow, just at a slower pace. Farms provide a supportive environment where they can develop their skills and grow steadily, one step at a time.

What first sparked your interest in Social Farming?

Ever since high school, I have believed that food is one of the most fundamental aspects of human life, and I wanted to pursue a career related to it. This led me to study agriculture. However, when I enrolled in the Natural Sciences II at the University of Tokyo and attended classes in physics and chemistry, I quickly realized that “I don’t enjoy experiments, and I lack the passion to delve deeply into one specific subject. I’m not cut out to be a typical science student.”

Around that time, I discovered agricultural economics—a discipline that bridges the humanities and sciences. Unlike more rigid fields, agriculture is affected by unpredictable factors such as the weather, meaning theories do not always apply directly. I found this uncertainty fascinating and realized I resonated with the ambiguity of a broad, interdisciplinary nature that doesn’t strictly separate science from the humanities.

What inspired you to pursue research on Social Farming?

After graduating, I chose to work at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) because I was eager to play a role in shaping Japan’s future by contributing to the dynamic work of the national government through agricultural policy. At MAFF, my work involved reforming the rice and wheat distribution system, revitalizing rural communities, and fostering international cooperation. However, in these large-scale projects, I often found myself behind the scenes, coordinating with stakeholders rather than implementing my own ideas.

During that time, my child was born and later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disability. My demanding schedule left me with little time for family, and I relied heavily on my wife for childcare. It soon became clear that continuing this way would jeopardize my family’s well-being.

Seeking a better balance, I requested a transfer to a position with more flexible hours, which led me to the Policy Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. There, I began conducting macro-policy research on domestic wheat—a topic I had previously worked on as an administrative officer.

As my research progressed, I came across a television program featuring a social welfare facility engaged in agriculture. Watching people with severe disabilities work energetically and joyfully in the fields sparked my curiosity and opened my eyes to a whole new world of agriculture. With my background in agriculture and my personal connection to disabilities, I realized I was uniquely positioned to bridge these two worlds and make a meaningful contribution.

Were agricultural-welfare collaboration efforts well-established at that time?

In 2007, the term ‘agricultural-welfare collaboration’ did not exist, and only a few scattered farms across the country employed people with disabilities. At that time, many in the agricultural sector did not believe that people with disabilities could work in agriculture. In response, I conducted fieldwork to explore the potential role of ‘social welfare organizations and NPOs’ as part of a broader strategy to secure diverse agricultural workers, alongside females and older adults. We began case studies of social welfare organizations engaged in agriculture.

Our findings revealed that these initiatives offer benefits for both the agricultural and welfare sectors. Some people with disabilities are able to take on meaningful work that matches their characteristics and abilities, which not only enhances their self-esteem but also increases their income. From the farmers’ perspective, this helps address labor shortages and creates a supportive environment for people with disabilities, ultimately contributing to the stability and growth of agricultural operations. However, we also identified challenges, such as mismatches between workers’ needs and job requirements, as well as initiatives that did not prioritize the needs of people with disabilities. To ensure the success of such collaborations, we found that detailed, stage-specific support is necessary, taking into account the development stage of agricultural-welfare collaboration, the specific region, and the individual characteristics of disabilities. We are currently working to determine the types of support needed to address these challenges.

The key to expansion: Nurturing collaborators who understand both agriculture and welfare

What are the key points for expanding agricultural-welfare collaboration?

It is essential to ensure individuals understand both agriculture and welfare and also are capable of facilitating effective Social Farming. The Chiba University Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences offers a practical training program that strikes a strong balance between agriculture, welfare, and marketing. I am responsible for delivering some lectures as well as scouting guest lecturers who can engage the audience. The program is designed to cater to a diverse group of participants. It is not only for those looking to start farming with people with disabilities, such as welfare facility staff and farmers who want to include people with disabilities in their workforce but also for individuals interested in becoming coordinators to connect the two sectors. Additionally, it is open to those curious about agriculture and welfare, as well as beginners who wish to explore future possibilities. This makes the program enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of learners.

Two program courses
Introductory Course	This course offers extensive hands-on training, allowing those interested in agriculture and welfare to learn the fundamentals of agricultural-welfare collaboration.
Advanced Course	Designed in response to requests for more in-depth study, this classroom-based course includes online marketing and is accessible from anywhere across the country.

Chiba Prefecture, with its large population (approximately, 6.3 mil) and thriving agricultural sector, provides an ideal environment for people with disabilities to engage with agriculture. The potential is very high, but the number of such initiatives remains low, which is unfortunate. To increase agricultural and welfare collaboration efforts in Chiba, we are working together with the prefecture and the city to plan awareness-raising events.

What are your prospects for the future?

Previous research has focused on ‘individuals who are able to work but lack employment opportunities.’ However, in the future, I plan to expand agricultural-welfare collaboration to include people with severe disabilities who are considered ‘unable to work.’ I also aim to conduct joint research on ‘universal farms’ that explore new functions for urban agriculture. This project will examine the effectiveness of interactions on farms involving a diverse group of people, including people with disabilities, older adults with dementia, and those who tend to stay at home, while also analyzing the impact on the local economy and society. One of our members’ research findings* indicates that farm work can slow the progression of dementia, so we hope to involve people with dementia in this project. However, it seems that the disease may worsen during periods when farm work is not being conducted, such as in winter. Our research colleagues are currently exploring ways to prevent this progression during these downtime periods.

The inspiration for this research came from a visit to a care farm in the Netherlands in February 2024. Care farms provide care for people with disabilities, older adults with dementia, and those struggling with drug addiction. Approximately 20,000 people use care farms in 1,400 facilities across the Netherlands. In contrast, there are only a little over 10 such farms in Japan, highlighting the advanced state of care farming in the Netherlands.

However, care farms in the Netherlands have a rule that users should not be overburdened. In other words, skill development or training cannot be carried out within the care setting. In this regard, Japan’s agricultural-welfare collaboration initiatives are a step ahead. Even people with disabilities can improve their skills through repeated training, and they feel a sense of happiness and pride when they are able to assist others. I would like to share the positive aspects of Japan, where people with disabilities can grow through agriculture, with other countries.

Agricultural-welfare collaboration starts with small steps. Farmers, people with disabilities, and people with dementia can all enjoy a different kind of agriculture, without rushing or feeling pressured. Those who were once considered ‘incapable’ can change society’s conventional views and help save local agriculture. Agricultural-welfare collaboration holds great potential.

Can you share a message you have given your students studying agricultural-welfare collaboration?

I always tell my students that it is important to approach the field with an open mind, free from preconceptions, and then narrow down their thesis topic based on what they observe. The world of fieldwork is not always logical, and the best part is discovering that things are often different from what you expected. If you bring strong curiosity and deep insight and reflect on why the field didn’t match your expectations, you’ll uncover many valuable lessons.

I also remind them that no life experience is ever meaningless. While it may feel like you are taking a detour during difficult times, when you look back, you will realize that those moments of doubt were crucial in helping you complete your thesis. So, embrace those worries. Then, write a thesis that truly reflects the support of those who helped you, even amid their busy schedules, and provide them with valuable feedback. This is a key attitude to have when conducting fieldwork research.

● ●　Off Topic　● ●