（Agricultural Information Research, Japan, 9(2), 77-89, 2000）

Studies on the Construction of Local Agricultural Information Network Systems (1)

― Classification of Local Information Systems by Principal Component Analysis ―

Takeshi HIRAISHI, Kazuhiro NAKANO, Yasuo OHTSUKA and Takemi MACHIDA

Summary

   As information communication technology advances, information systems using the communication means like personal computers, facsimiles and CATV have been developed even in the agricultural field. However, it is doubtful if these information systems have been formed while taking into account factors such as local characteristics and special products. In the present study, statistical data on local characteristics were analyzed by a principal component method for cases of 267 municipalities that had been equipped with information media by 1998. The following results were obtained. (1) Geographically speaking, media such as CATV are often seen in economically enriched urban areas. (2) As for the agricultural product situation, updated information is being provided in areas with industries like horticulture or livestock farming that are affected by weather and market prices. (3) As for social conditions, information systems are not well developed in areas where the level of social activity is not so much developed. (4) CATV and PC communications, which require considerable expense and labor, have been introduced in active urban areas, so the economic factors affect the choice of information media.



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