INSTITUTIONAL INTERACTIONISM AND FARM LANDHOLDINGS IN JAPAN AND THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract

There are two common modes of farm cultivation in the world – large size (industrialized) and small size (smallholding). However, the dominant global mode of cultivation is that of smallholding. The prevalent smallholding and slow transition to industrialized farms is the topic of this research. An institutional interaction approach was employed in the qualitative analysis of smallholding in Japan and the Philippines. Three stakeholder institutions were identified - the state, civil society organization (CSO), and the family. Results suggested that smallholding is persistent in Japan and the Philippines due to the historical consequences of farm stakeholder relationships. These relationships restricted the frontiers for industrial expansion. There are existing policy rules (e.g., size ownership limit), CSOs interest boundaries (e.g., business interest), and demographic issues (e.g., family inheritance rule) in the interactions of stakeholders. The inter-institutional interaction among stakeholders in communities is restricting the inroads of corporatized farming in Japan and the Philippines.