Asahi Village Successor Farmer Support Program

①Overview: The Asahi Village Farming Support Center's Successor Farmer Support Program aims to inherit the management base of certified farmers who have supported regional agriculture and to nurture the next generation of central farming actors. Effective April 1, Reiwa 8, the program provides successor farmer support funds within budget to those who have returned to their family farms. There are three categories: Initial Farming Support, Agricultural Machinery/Greenhouse Facility Introduction Support, and Continuation Support. ②Eligible persons: Must reside in Asahi Village and have retired, graduated, or closed their personal business; be under 60 years old at the time of application; hold a certified Youth Farming Plan or Agricultural Management Improvement Plan; be a child or grandchild of a certified farmer (or former certified farmer) in Asahi Village. Family farming agreements are required if multiple family members farm. Applicants must not receive equivalent national/prefectural subsidies, must have no unpaid village taxes (including parent and household), and must not be linked to organized crime. ③Eligible expenses/Content: Initial Farming Support of JPY 700,000 for those approved by the review committee; Machinery/Greenhouse Facility Introduction Support up to JPY 500,000 (within 3 years of initial support, for equipment/materials purchased from JA Matsumoto Highland, excluding general-purpose vehicles like trucks, one application per period, bundling allowed); Continuation Support of JPY 300,000 (after 3 years from initial support, subject to favorable farming status review). ④Rate/Cap/Schedule/Tips: Maximum cap is JPY 700,000 for the initial grant. Applications for Initial and Continuation Support are accepted twice yearly (end of May and end of November); Machinery/Facility applications are accepted anytime. Initial application deadline is within 3 years of retirement. Recipients must continue farming as certified farmers in the village for 3 years after each grant, receive at least annual guidance from JA Matsumoto Highland advisors, and submit annual performance reports. Withdrawal from farming or relocation outside the village may trigger full repayment.