I quit my company and started farming... Surprising annual income of "out-of-salary farmer"

There is an increasing number of people who quit their jobs and start farming. The question is, can we make a living from farming? Let's take a look at the income situation of agriculture.

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Every day, I'm swayed by the train, working from morning to night ... I'm tired of living in the city, and I've said, "I'm going to the countryside and farming." , you may be surprised. From a farmer's point of view, it seems that they will be scolded by "Don't underestimate farming", but recently, there are more and more opportunities to take up farming as a style.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries "Reiwa 2 New Farmer Survey Results", the number of new farmers in 2020 is 53,740. Of these, 18,380 were under the age of 49.

Looking at how to start farming, first of all, there are 40,100 "new self-employed farmers" who are the children of farmers who are engaged in self-employed farming, and 8,440 people under the age of 49. Next, there are 10,050 “newly employed farmers” who are hired by agricultural corporations, etc., of which 7,360 are under the age of 49. Finally, there are 3,580 “new entrants” who procure land and funds on their own and start farming. Of these, 2,580 were under the age of 49.

"New self-employed farmers" are on the decline, while "newly employed farmers" and "new entrants" are on the rise. It can be said that "getting a job at an agricultural corporation or changing jobs" or "starting a business in agriculture" are the ways to start agriculture nowadays.

“New self-employed farmer”: A household member of a sole proprietorship whose main living status in the past year has changed from “student” to “mainly engaged in self-employed farming” and “other Those who have changed from being employed and working mainly to being mainly engaged in self-employed farming

"Newly employed farmer": A person who is engaged in agriculture by being newly employed by a corporation as a permanent employee (7 months or more per year) (Excluding cases where foreigners who were employed and employment status immediately before being employed were agricultural workers)

"New entrants": Managers and partners who have independently procured land and funds (excluding the case of inheriting parent's farmland due to inheritance, gift, etc.) and newly started farm management. . A joint owner is the spouse of the person in charge of management, or other joint owner in the case where a husband and wife are both engaged in farming, or when multiple new farmers establish a corporation and jointly manage it.

The environment surrounding Japanese agriculture is severe. Today, the average age of farmers is about 68. As it continues to rise year by year, the development of farmers who will lead the next generation is an urgent task, and the government is also providing various support and initiatives.

For example, "Agricultural Next-Generation Human Resources Investment Fund (Former Youth Agricultural Benefits)". There are two types: a “preparation type” that supports funds to support training before farming, and a “management start type” that supports funds to support the establishment of management immediately after starting farming. This is a subsidy that supports the most difficult part of aspiring to quit farming.

In addition, you can receive various consultations and support regarding farming, such as the consultation desk of the National New Farming Consultation Center.

However, when aspiring to quit farming, the most interesting question is, "What is the annual income of farming?" Let's take a look at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries "2018 Agricultural Management Statistics Survey Management Statistics by Farm Management Type (Individual Management)".

First of all, in the case of paddy field management, the average annual income is 4,371,000 yen. Of this, farm income is 556,000 yen, non-farm income is 1,745,000 yen, and pensions, etc. are 2,094,000 yen. Many earn their income outside of farming.

In addition, farming income accounts for more than 50% of total income, and the average annual income of "full-time farmers" such as those who are engaged in farming for more than 60 days a year is 6,372,000 yen, of which agricultural income is 5.1 million yen. 9,000 yen. Agricultural income is about nine times higher than the overall average, and if it reaches this scale, it will be possible to work in a way that ``the main occupation is agriculture.''

Next, let's look at the case of field farming management. The average annual income is 5,622,000 yen. Of this, agricultural income is 2,864,000 yen, non-agricultural income is 1,359,000 yen, and pension, etc. is 1,362,000 yen. Furthermore, the average annual income of full-time farmers is 8,683,000 yen, of which 7,416,000 yen comes from farming. Upland farming tends to generate more income than rice farming.

The average salary of a Japanese office worker is 4.33 million yen (National Tax Agency "Private Salary Survey"). If you work on agriculture as your main business, it is not a dream to get a salary higher than that of a company employee. However, when it comes to agriculture, it is a job for nature (although there are other cases). You will know in advance that it is more difficult than a company employee to stabilize your income.

Three things are required to be successful in "ex-salary farming". One is whether you really have the "preparedness" to do farming. The second is "diligence" to learn technology and management, and the third is "communication skills" to get along well with surrounding farmers. It is no different from what is expected of a company employee.