• KIPS Transactions on Computer and Communication Systems
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.81-92
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• 2021

As the aging population of Korean agriculture and rural areas and the decline of the agricultural population are gradually deepening, the influx of population through returning to farming and rural areas is urgently needed. To this end, the most important problems to be solved were the lack of information that would help those who want to return to farming or rural areas when making decisions. Therefore, a survey was conducted for AHP analysis on related experts to find out the information (decision factors) required when selecting a return-to-farm or return-to-country migration area through this study. The AHP analysis showed that "Economic factors" were the most important among the three items in the primary class, while "Housing and land prices", "Metropolitan accessibility and traffic" and "Residential information" were the most important in the secondary class. The results of these studies are reflected in the information system to systematically support the decision-making of those who wish to return to farming or rural areas.It is hoped that it will be indirectly helpful and ultimately contribute to the revitalization and development of Korean agriculture and rural areas, which are aging.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.128-141
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• 2022

Compared to the conventional farms (CF) rearing of broilers, the rearing management of animal welfare-certified farms (AF) must provide low stocking density, perch, air regulation, and feeding plant-based protein. This study aimed to compare the effects of rearing management in CF and AF on blood parameters, meat quality, and bioactive compound content in Ross 308 broiler chickens at the farm level before transportation to slaughterhouses. Blood and meat samples were obtained at 28-35-dayold chickens from three CF and three AF. In blood samples, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.05), triglyceride (p<0.001), glucose (p<0.01), total protein (p<0.001), albumin (p<0.01), and white blood cell (p<0.001) levels as well as the heterophil/ lymphocyte ratio [stress index (SI), p<0.001] were lower in broilers from AF than in CF. In meat samples, shear force (p<0.001, p<0.05), and carnosine contents (p<0.001, p<0.05) in both breast and thigh meat from AF were higher than those in meat from CF. The contents of linoleic acid (p<0.001), α-linolenic acid (p<0.001), and eicosapentaenoic acid (p<0.05) were higher in the samples from AF than those from CF. This study reveals that such differences are influenced by the different rearing factors in nutrition, housing, and management practices between CF and AF. Supplementation of plant-based protein and enough space to move due to lower stocking density accounts for the large differences between them. These results can be used as preliminary data showing that the AF system reduces the SI and enhances carnosine and polyunsaturated fatty acids levels in chicken meat at the farm level before transportation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.539-563
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• 2022

Nine pig farms were evaluated for the welfare quality in Korea using animal- and environment-based parameters (particularly air quality parameters) during the winter of 2013. The Welfare Quality^® (WQ^®) protocol consists of 12 criteria within four principles. The WQ^® protocol classifies farms into four categories ranging from 'excellent' to 'not classified'. Each of these criteria has specific measures for calculating scores. Calculations for the welfare scores were conducted online using the calculation model in the WQ^® protocol. Environment-based parameters like microclimate (i.e., temperature, relative humidity, air speed, and particulate matter), bacteria (total airborne bacteria, airborne total coliform, and airborne total Escherichia coli), concentration of gases (carbon dioxide, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide) were measured to investigate the relationship between animal- and environment-based parameters. Correlations between the results of animal- and environment-based parameters were estimated using spearman correlation coefficient. The overall assessments found that five out of nine farms were 'acceptable', and four farms were 'enhanced'; no farm was 'not classified'. The average score for the four principles across the nine farms, in decreasing order, were 'good feeding' (63.13 points) > 'good housing' (59.26 points) > 'good health' (33.47 points) > 'appropriate behaviors' (25.48 points). In the result of the environment aspect, the relative humidity of farms 2 (93.4%), 3 (100%), and 9 (98%) was much higher than the recommended maximum relative humidity of 80%, and four out of the nine farms had ammonia concentrations greater than 40 ppm. Ammonia had negative correlations with 'positive social behaviors' and positive emotional states: content, enjoying, sociable, playful, lively, happy and it had positive correlations with negative emotional states: aimless, distressed. The concentration of carbon dioxide had negative correlations with positive emotional states; calm, sociable, playful, happy and it had a positive correlation with negative emotional state; aimless. Our results indicate that the control of the environment for growing pigs can help improve their welfare, particularly via good air quality (carbon dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.69-83
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• 2012

Urbanization has caused increase of traffic jams, food shortage, housing, and environmental pollution in the world in recent decades. Urban agriculture, such as roof garden, can relieve the phenomenon of urban heat island causing from the urbanization. The study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of rooftop garden (farm) in 40 areas in Seoul, Korea, where the 'cabbage', 'lettuce', 'pepper', and 'mini-tomatoes' were the most preferred vegetables and fruit. The problems in the rooftop garden during a cultivation was observed for drainage system, soil management, cost or quality of planting mat and diseases and insects. The image of urban agriculture showed a positive words, such as 'bright', 'clean', 'open' and 'good' according to the survey.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.279-286
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• 2010

Livestock production in Vietnam is, as in most Asian countries, increasing rapidly and changing into specialized highly intensified operations. The volume of animal excreta generated exceeds the capacity of the operation land base and cannot be utilized efficiently. As a consequence, there is a loss of plant nutrients from livestock farms that causes environmental pollution. This study carried out a feed and excretion experiment measuring fecal characteristic, daily fecal production, daily nitrogen and phosphorous excretion from grower-finisher pigs fed prevalent rations in Vietnam. Furthermore, equations for assessing the excretion were tested, which can be used in farm models for optimal recycling of manure while focusing on reducing pollution. The results indicated that fecal production and nutrient excretion were affected by the different rations tested. This study showed that five selected equations for predicting excretion from grower-finisher pigs in Danish conditions can also be used with precision in Vietnamese pig farming systems. The equations have been proven valid and can, therefore, be used as a much needed tool for assessing fecal production and nitrogen in excreta on pig farms. The study also showed that about 12% of nitrogen excreted was emitted during housing. Waste water contains more than half of the nitrogen excreted, mainly in ammonium form which has a high potential for gaseous emission.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.1147-1154
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• 2021

The study aimed to investigate the impact of the microfinance program on loan borrowers' asset accumulation. In doing this, the study used descriptive and statistical methods to achieve the objectives. Primary data were collected from 192 respondents from Bangladesh using survey questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the multiple linear regression model. The result revealed that the majority of the borrowers said their assets such as farm, land, and livestock remained the same, which implies that microfinance borrowers still lag behind accumulating household assets. However, in the case of housing conditions and household appliances, there was a marginal increase. The regression result provides evidence that, among other factors, the amount of loan received from microfinance institutions and time duration with them is the most significant role-playing factor for borrower's sustainable well-being. The age and education level of borrowers are identified as positively related to asset accumulations, but not substantially so. Moreover, training provided by microfinance institutions is not effective and influential for microfinance borrowers' wealth accumulation, which is evidenced by the findings. This study's insights are worthwhile for any microfinance institution's decision-makers, development partners, and government to stress the shortcomings and accelerate the borrower's wealth status.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2008

This survey was conducted to investigate housing types of Korean native cattle and beef cattle farms in Korea. The farm sized over 50 heads of cattle, 7,433 farms were surveyed. Regarding housing types for Korean native cattle and beef cattle, litter barn, freestall, mooring+litter ground and others accounted for 87.1, 9.8, 3.0, and 2.9 %, respectively. Most of Korean native cattle and beef cattle farms (94.7%) used litter floor rather than scraper. As for roof types, slate, panel, iron plate, galvanized plate, colored iron plate and sunlight represented 32.2, 13.7, 12.2, 10.2, 9.7, and 8.9 %, respectively. Open side wall type and winch curtain were 55.6, and 47.6 %, respectively. Bigger farms seemed to used more winch curtain than open style. Utilization period of automatic feeder, waterer, electric facility, and cooling facility was 6.7, 8.0, 8.5, and 6.0 years, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2017

Recently, agricultural lands have decreased sharply, which was caused by huge housing site, urbanization, land consolidation, and road construction etc. In particular, Yangju city near Seoul city has the most severe land use change in Korea. Therefore, we analyzed changes of land use, soil properties, and soil information in order to provide the basic soil information and soil management practices in this city. The area of crop cultivated land in Korea (2015) reduced by 12,090 ha compared to ones from the previous year (2014). The paddy field decreased by 25,421 ha but, upland field increased by 13,331 ha. One of the reasons for the reduction of the paddy field was converting paddy field to upland (20,916 ha) > others (3,056) > building (2,571) > public facilities (847) > idle land (217). But, reasons for increase of upland field were switching paddy to upland (20,916 ha) > land developed (634). The main reason of converting paddy field to upland was changing from rice to more profitable speciality crops or pulses. The cropland area (paddy fields, upland, orchard) of Yangju city reduced by 1,412 ha (2015/2014). The ratio of cropland area in each city reduced by 22.9% dramatically compared 2015 to 1999. The paddy fields located in alluvial plains in Yangju city were changed into upland or green house. The drainage classes of soil have been deteriorated because the flows of water were intercepted by road construction and other disturbance to water flows. In particular, paddy fields have been changed to not only upland, orchard, greenhouse cultivation but also to fallow and soil dressing on paddy in Yangju city. To analyze result of soil survey of Yangju city, 858 soil codes (soil phases) were used and the area was 105.17ha. The number of soil series increased from 60 to 65, and that of soil phase increased from 105 to 124. The largest increased area was Noegog soil series. 125.7ha of Neogog soil series was incorporated from the existing Sachon, Yecheon and Eungog soil series. The soil suitability class of paddy field in Ogjung huge housing site of Yangju city was the 4th grade for 32.6% of the area. The soil suitability classes of upland were 2nd and 3rd grade for 72.4% of the area. Farm land with high quality should be conserved by related law.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.151-156
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• 2012

Studies of non-cage or alternative systems have been discussing in EU because the EU has banned use of conventional cages for laying hens since 2012. This survey was carried out the information related to laying hens' welfare in Korea. Laying hens' breeding systems divided into deep litter, free range and alternative system, and livestock housings divided into windowless housing and open-type housing. The ratios of trough and bell feeder types were 37.5% and 62.5%, respectively. The ratios of nipple, trough, and bucket in waterer types 75%, 12.5%, and 12.5%, respectively. What stocking density is the most appropriate for production and welfare has been aroused. All laying hen farms met the required standards of stocking density ranged from 3.4 birds/$m^2$ to 7.6 birds/$m^2$ in this survey. According to welfare standards for laying hens, perch length should not be less than 15 cm. However, most laying hen farms did not satisfied the standards. We believe that presentdata contribute to develop alternative systems and to improve animal welfare in Korea.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.107-124
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• 2024

Based on Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, this study explores how to mitigate the disappearance of rual areas. The study surveyed 95 young farmers in Muan-gun to assess their farming practices and the challenges they face. We further employ factor analysis and cluster analysis classify young farmers in Muan-gun, facilitating the identification of tailored policies or initiatives aimed at fostering and supporting young farmers. The results are summarized as follows. First, Muan County does not have any ordinances or original projects specifically designed to support young farmers. Second, the succession rate of farmland among young farmers in Muan County is 41.1%, which is comparable to the national rate of 43.7%. This indicates that approximately 40% of young farmers in Korea have inherited farmland, a critical foundation for agricultural activities. Third, despite accumulating farming experience, young farmers have not seen any improvement in local living conditions, and rather their difficulties have intensified. Fourth, this study conducted a factor analysis using 21 variables, resulting in the selection of seven common factors for cluster analysis. Consequently, young farmers in Muan County were categorized into three groups. The multinomial logit analysis revealed that the typology of young farmers is influenced by indicators such as cultivated area, farming experience, demand for smart farms, farm income, and farming type (rice cultivation or other). Therefore, to attract young farmers and prevent the decline of rural areas, policy efforts should focus on minimizing entry barriers to farming infrastructure, such as access to farmland, and improving local settlement conditions.