• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.137-150
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• 2010

Traditionally, like many people in mountain region of the Himalaya, the Lwang communities depend on mix of subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, and seasonal migrant labor for their livelihoods. These traditional systems are characterized by low productivity, diverse use of available natural resources (largely for home consumption), limited markets, and some aversion for innovation. The potential to generate wealth through commerce has largely been untapped by these mountain residents and thus is undervalued in local and national economies. Introduction of organic tea farming is a part of Lwang community's several initiatives to break the vicious poverty cycle Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) played facilitating roles in all their efforts since beginning. In five years, the tea plantation emerged as a new means for secured a livelihood. This study aims to analyze the current practices in tea farming both in terms of farm management and soil nutrient status(technical) and the prosperity of the tea farmers (social). The technical aspect covers the soil and tea leaf analysis of various nutrients contents in the soil and tea leaf. Originally, the technical aspect of the study was not planned but later during the consultation with the advisor it was taken into consideration which added value to the research study. The sample were collected from different locations and analyzed on the field itself. The other part of the study i.e. the social aspect was done through questionnaire survey and focus group discussion. the tea farming provided them not only a new opportunity but also earned an identity in the region. This initiative was undertaken as a piloting measure. Now that the tea is in production with processing unit established locally, more serious consideration has to be given for better yield and economic prosperity. This research finding will help the community to analyze their efforts and make correction measures in tea garden management and application of fertilizer. It is also expected to fill up the gaps of knowledge and information required to reduce economic stresses and enhance capacity of farmers to make the tea farming a sustainable and beneficial business. The findings are expected to Sustainability of organic tea farming has direct impacts on biodiversity conservation compared to the other traditional farming practices that are more resource intensive. The study will also contribute to identify key action points required for reducing poverty while conserving environment and enhancing livelihoods

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.236-244
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the economic feasibility of providing services according to the nationwide expansion of early warning services. The net present value method, one of the cost-benefit analysis methods, was applied to the analysis. As a benefit item that constituted the net present value, the damage reduction amount using crop insurance data and the willingness to pay for the use of early warning services were used. The cost items included system construction and maintenance costs, and text transmission costs. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the nationwide expansion of early warning services had economic feasibility, and its economic effect varied depending on the level of text message use (10 % to 40 %, 10 %p interval) of participating farmers. In the future, the economic effect of early warning services is expected to increase further due to the increase in the number of farmers participating in early warning services and the increase in crop damage caused by climate change. It is necessary to further enhance the economic effect of early warning services by actively utilizing information delivery means through apps or the web as well as text messages.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 2006

This survey was carried out to investigate the occurrence of reproductive disorders in Korean native cattle (Hanwoo). The general management status such as barn type, feed intake, parity and type of reproductive disorders were examined in the Hanwoo farms. In this survey, the total incidence of reproductive disorders that was assessed from 54 Hanwoo farms was 11.6% (73/ 631). We first examined the incidence of reproductive disorders following herd size per farm. The rates of reproductive disorders in under 10 heads, 10 to 20 heads and over 20 heads were 25.2%, 9.4% and 8.3%, respectively (P<0.05). The rate of reproductive disorders in tie stall barn was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that in free stall barn (14.9% vs. 8.1%). The major types of reproductive disorders were follicular cysts (21.8%), fat necrosis (21.8%), and repeat breeding (17.8%). The rate of reproductive disorders assessed by the parity tended to decrease as the parity increased. The relationship between incidence of reproductive disorders and body condition score (BCS) was investigated in 203 Hanwoo. The incidence of reproductive disorder was 80.0%, 8.8%, 9.4%, 10.0%, 33.3% and 57.1% at 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 of BCS, respectively. These data show that the increase of herd size, barn type and BCS affect the incidence of reproductive disorders such as follicular cysts, fat necrosis and repeat breeding in Hanwoo.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.694-704
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• 2016

Various infectious and parasitic diseases are known to be the main factors that cause decline in the global amphibian population. In Korea, commercial frog farms have been running since 2005. However, until now, studies on diseases including studies on parasitic diseases that occur in farm frogs have not been conducted. In this study, we studied and compared the acanthocephalan infection rates and the number of parasites in the body cavity, stomach, and small and large intestines of the Dybowskii's brown frogs collected from inside and outside the frog farms in Inje, Goesan, Gongju and Boryeong. In addition, we classified the acanthocephalan parasites into genera by analyzing their nuclear 18S rRNA genes. On an average, 51.7% of the investigated frogs were infected by acanthocephalans, which belong to the Centrorhynchus genus. The infection rate of the frogs collected in the Inje farm was 15%, significantly lower than those from the Goesan, Gongju and Boryeong farms. The rate in Goesan was 55%, which is lower than Gongju (80%) and Boryeong (90%) although it is not statistically significant. No difference was found in the infection rate and in the number of parasites in male and female frogs and between the groups collected from inside and outside of the farms. The number of infected parasites negatively correlated with the body condition of the frogs. The most parasites were found in the stomach followed by the small and large intestines and the body cavity. This study is the first report on the Centrorhynchus acanthocephalan infection of amphibians in Korea and it suggests the necessity for acanthocephalan parasite management and for conducting further disease-related studies in commercial frog farms.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2014

The objective of this study is to analyze the production of extra-large egg and assess the impacts of exogenous factors in feeding the layer chicken. The main results of this study are as follows; First, feeding rations on the basics of statistics, internal maximum and minimum temperature and, the age at first egg affect the production of extra-large egg. Second, implicating the standardized coefficients from the conclusion of regression model estimating suggest that the amount of feed has the greatest impact on production followed by the age at first egg. Third, by using the elasticity of output and the volatility in the production, the result suggest that among the independent variable factors in the external volatility, the biggest one goes to feed ration, and the age at first egg follows. In order to control the production volatility in the extra-large egg production of the farms, it is necessary to manage an efficient feeding based on feed ration, age at first egg and, the maximum and minimum temperature inside the farm. Taken together, the results demonstrates that it should be concentrated by controlling the exogenous factors affecting extra large egg production and the management system construct, to increase extra-large egg production and the income of farmers at the same time.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.161-172
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• 2018

A mixed farming system that includes organic rice production and freshwater fish farming is being called into attention in Korean agricultural industry and rural areas in order to improve farm management and environmental conservation. This study was conducted to evaluate the environmental and ecological value of such mixed farming practices. Expert assessment and rapid assessment method (RAM) of wetland evaluation were employed for this study. Experts have responded that biodiversity conservation including amphibian and reptile habitat (2.39), aquatic insect habitat (2.36), Fishery habitat (2.34), vegetation diversity (2.13), avian habitat (2.05), and experience and education were the most important function of mixed farming. The wetland function evaluation conducted using modified RAM indicated that rice-fish mixed system showed improvements in most of the evaluated functions, compared to the conventional rice paddies. The overall wetland function of rice paddies in rice-fish mixed system was greatly improved as compared with the conventional rice paddies. Rice paddies are known to play an important role in biodiversity maintenance, and provide ecosystem services such as climate modulation and carbon reduction. Rice-fish mixed system of farming may not only improve various ecosystem services of rice paddies, but may increase farm income through value added fish farming, as well as promotion of social services such as education and maintenance of tradition. Additional research is needed for quantitative analysis of the values gained from the most improved wetland function when mixed farming system is actually put into practice, and to utilize the results in advertising of the organic rice, and in various sectors such as food, education and direct payment policy.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.303-314
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• 2004

Objectives: This study was carried out to assess exposure levels of organic dusts and ammonia in poultry farms in Korea. Methods: A total of six poultry farms were investigated. The farms were located in Namwon, Chonlabuk-do and in Kae-San, Chungchongbuk-do. This study consisted of a questionnaire and measuring organic dusts and ammonia. The questionnaire included the characteristics of the farms, work patterns and the tasks of the poultry farms. Results and Conclusions: The farmers raised the chickens 45 times a year and the average number of years in the poultry farm were eight years ranging from 2 to 12 years. They worked for seven days per week and the average hours spent caring the chickens are 6.3 hours per day. The duration of staying in the confinement buildings was 3.3 hours per day. The work time in summer was longest. The feed and the water supply systems were automatic and the control of ventilation windows used "winch curtain" was semiautomatic. They used mechanical ventilation system in winter and used dilution ventilation system in the other seasons. The geometric mean concentration of total and respirable dust sampled in the poultry confinement buildings was 4.0 mg/$m^3$and 0.9 mg/$m^3$ respectively. The ratio of respirable to total dusts range from 9 to 49 percent. There was no sample exceeding the criteria 10 mg/$m^3$ for total dust and 3 mg/$m^3$ for respirable dust in farms. The criteria have been recommended by Korean Ministry of Labor and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist. The personal respirable dusts measured during a circle work averaged geometric mean concentration 1.4 mg/$m^3$ Two personal samples were exceeded the threshold 3 mg/$m^3$. There was a positive relation between an index and the personal samples of respirable dusts($R^2$=0.98). The index is calculated by multipling the total number of chickens in the farm by the age of the chickens and then dividing by the volume of the confinement building. The geometric mean concentration of area and personal ammonia samples was 23.3 ppm and 22.2 ppm, respectively. Some of the ammonia samples, both area and personal samples, exceeded the short term exposure limit value 35 ppm.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2012

Establishment of the LFQC (Liquid Fertilizer Quality Certification) system is very urgent issue for recycling livestock manure as renewable resources in Korea faced with environmental problem of manure application to land due to intensive livestock farming. In this study, we investigated relevant laws and regulations on livestock manure fertilizer, certifications of eco-friendly agricultural products, government policies on livestock manure management to establish reasonable direction of Korean LFQC (Liquid Fertilizer Quality Certification) system. As a result from this study, the liquid fertilizers in 'LFQC' system could be classified as three levels according to the usage patterns in field; 1st. Individual Farm Level (IFL), 2nd. Joint Farm Level (JFL), and 3rd. Commercial Level (CML). And finally, we found some characteristics in 'Main Level-Grading Factors' of liquid fertilizer such as fertilizing value, harmfulness, stability, uniformity, economic effect, storage potential, commercial value, functionality. Those items were considered to be the key factors for the establishment of 'LFQC' system. More research on 'Evaluation Standards' for concrete guideline and on the 'Main Level-Grading Factors' be needed to complete Korean LFQC system.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 1989

This investigation was conducted to get basic informations on land consolidation works and soil management for arable land. The characteristics of geometrical features of mapping units in the detailed soil maps of Korea were measured from 70 soil series (565 soil phases) by using a picture analysis system. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The mean values of the mapping units in extent, periphery, diameter of long axis and short axis, roundness and number of acute angles were 22.0ha, 2.267m, 911m, 0.104, and 3.5, respectively. It was suggested that "Simplicity Index of Mapping Unit", $=\frac{Extent\;in\;ara}{Length\;of\;boundary\;periphery\;in\;meter}{\times}\frac{1}{number\;of\;acute\;angle}$ be valuable to judge the complexity degrees of mapping units. 2. The size of mapping unit among physiographyic position was shown in order of Alluvial plains > Fluviomarine plains > Terraces > Hills > Fans > Mt. foot slopes > Valleys, and the simplicity index of mapping units also showed similar order of the extent. 3. The size and the simplicity index of the soils developed on plains with silty textured imperfectly drained were higher than the soils developed on sloped land with loamy textured. As the slopes getting steeper or relatively better in soil drainage, the size and the simplicity index became smaller. 4. The relationship between the simplicity index and the size of the farm unit divides by the land consolidation works was positively correlated. And it was concluded that the parcelling of the farm unit divides by the planning of land consolidation should be based on the soil boundaries of the detailed soil maps for mechanized or collaborated farming.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.193-206
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• 2014

The objectives of the project are to increase farmers' income through GAP and to reduce the loss of agricultural produce, for which the Korean partner takes a role of transferring needed technologies to the project site. To accomplish the project plan, it is set to implement the project with six components: construction of buildings, installation of agricultural facilities, establishment of demonstration farms, dispatching experts, conducting training program in Korea and provision of equipments. The Project Management Committee and the Project Implementation Team are consisted of Korean experts and senior officials from Department of Agriculture, Myanmar that managed the project systematically to ensure the success of the project. The process of the project are; the ceremony of laying the foundation and commencing the construction of training center in April, 2012. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the completion of GAP Training Center was successfully held under PMC (MOAI, GAPI/ARDC) arrangement in SAl, Naypyitaw on June 17, 2012. The Chairman of GAPI, Dr. Sang Mu Lee, Director General U Kyaw Win of DOA, officials and staff members from Korea and Myanmar, teachers and students from SAl attended the ceremony. The team carried out an inspection and fixing donors' plates on donated project machineries, agro-equipments, vehicles, computers and printer, furniture, tools and so forth. Demonstration farm for paddy rice, fruits and vegetables was laid out in April, 2012. Twenty nine Korean rice varieties and many Korean vegetable varieties were introduced into GAP Project farm to check the suitability of the varieties under Myanmar growing conditions. Paddy was cultivated three times in DAR and twice in SAl. In June 2012, vinyl houses were started to be constructed for raising seedlings and finished in December 2012. Fruit orchard for mango, longan and dragon fruit was established in June, 2012. Vegetables were grown until successful harvest and the harvested produce was used for panel testing and distribution in January 2013. Machineries for postharvest handling systems were imported in November 2012. Setting the washing line for vegetables were finished and the system as run for testing in June 2013. New water tanks, pine lines, pump house and electricity were set up in October 2013.