The number of youngsters who are considering future careers in the agriculture business is increasing.

The Okinawa government long-term aim is to train 300 new farmers in the prefecture every year, and the plan is succeeding extraordinarily well considering that 390 students graduated from agricultural trade schools in the prefecture in 2012 with an intention to go into farming business. It’s the highest number in 10 years.

The reason the new farmers cited for going into business is the support the Japanese government provides for new farmers including benefits and grants that help new farmers to get a head start.

Numbers of young farmers have subsequently increased, and they are playing an important role in keeping farming alive in rural areas of the prefecture.

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