Abstract
In this study, we attempted to estimate the degree of management of chestnut forestry households in Chungcheongnam-do and to provide information for establishing chestnut cultivation-related policies. The chestnut management standard diagnostic table consists of three major categories, namely, management base, management and sales capacity, and production technology levels, along with 19 subcategories. A survey of 309 chestnut forestry households was conducted from 2014 to 2019 in Gongju, Cheongyang, and Buyeo in Chungcheongnam-do. The average score for the 19 subcategories was 65.7 points, indicating that these areas have excellent management conditions. When the total score was higher, the output per hectare and the rate of top-grade products in the total output were also higher, indicating a significant correlation. These findings will be useful for providing consulting services to chestnut growers as they highlight the correlation between the higher scores of the indicators in the chestnut management standard diagnostic table and the management performance of the farmers. We found that the scores of the indicators for management and sale skill, such as management record and analysis, material purchase, and direct transaction with consumers, were relatively lower than those of the indicators for management base and production skill. It is assumed that the chestnut growers aging has led to negligence in recording details on incomes, expenditures, and work and lowered the willingness to make substantial profits. Therefore, it is essential to overcome these problems for profitable chestnut farming.
