Value-added rice products associated with ecological protection have attracted significant research attention in recent times. However, farming methods related to the production of these products are not diffusing rapidly. This study analyzes the factors affecting the diffusion of conservation-oriented farming methods, or, in other words, the farming formula to nurture oriental stork and Japanese crested ibis. We focused on three parameters that impact the shape of diffusion curves—time required to reach an acceptance of 5%; rate of acceptance; and ceiling value. The case study showed that the diffusion curve of each farming method had a different shape. Rapid diffusion of the formula at an early stage can be ensured by conducting seminars on new farming technologies. In addition, the ceiling value can be increased by purchasing rice at higher prices, promoting awareness of the factors that prevent farmers from introducing these methods, and regularly conducting seminars for farmers.

Conservation-oriented farming techniques have attracted increasing attention in recent years. We focus on effective and efficient diffusion of methods to conserve the Japanese crested ibis living in certified rice farms in Sado city. We identify factors that affect farmers' decisions regarding the adoption of conservation-oriented farming methods from the perspective of both the trial and confirmation stage; we also distinguish between interrupted, introduction, and non-introduction farmers. Results show that introduction and non-introduction farmers significantly differed with regards to living settlements, rice cropping areas, management philosophies, and their relationships with the Japanese crested ibis. Analysis of introduction farmers shows that pioneer farmers were mainly motivated by the aspects of contributing to the Japanese crested ibis and rice branding. Analysis of interrupted farmers suggests that generously paying farmers to attend workshops that give information about farming methods may prove effective. Finally, analysis of non-introduction farmers suggests that holding workshops that give information about how to apply to the certification system may be the most effective.

In this study, we focused on the task of weeding that had been an issue in organic rice cultivation, and investigated the economic effects of introducing a high-efficiency weeder. We analyzed working hours and production costs, and estimated the possibility of expanding the organic rice acreage. The results were as follows: (1) The weeding time in organic rice cultivation decreased significantly; (2) although the production cost of organic rice cultivation was higher than that of conventional rice cultivation, it was more advantageous, considering the price of organic rice; and (3) estimation by linear programming revealed that using a high-efficiency weeder could increase the area under organic rice cultivation.