Possibility of and issues related to obtaining Noufuku JAS certification for home-based ICT-mediated agricultural work performed by people with severe disabilities

The Japanese Agricultural Standard for “foods produced with the participation of persons with disabilities” (henceforth “Noufuku JAS”) was newly established in 2019. The Noufuku JAS is intended to improve Noufuku products’ brand power and sales promotion effect. To be certified under Noufuku JAS, a product must have been “produced with the participation of persons with disabilities in the main production processes.” However, the standard does not specify the types of work to be engaged in by persons with disabilities, and the current concept of “main production processes” excludes home-based work performed by people with disabilities. On the other hand, Sakuta et al. (2021) indicated concrete consideration of people with severe physical disabilities who engage in home-based work in the agricultural sector utilizing information and communication technology (ICT). This paper discusses the effects on farm business when people with severe physical disabilities engage in agriculture and welfare collaboration by working from home using ICT. The study approached the phenomenon from the viewpoint of the possibility of acquiring Noufuku JAS certification. In this case, the “digitalization of production and shipping information in the vegetable sector” was positioned as constituting the “main production processes.” The study used experimental data on people with severe physical disabilities who work from home using ICT. Based on the results, it was concluded that people with severe physical disabilities who work from home using ICT meet the requirements stipulated in the Noufuku JAS. Consequently, there is certification potential.