• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.85-96
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• 2022

The study is aimed to investigate the features and socio-economic background of farmland consolidation project with medium-sized paddy plot at irrigation associations during the Japanese colonial period in Korea. Most of farmland consolidation works in the 1940s was composed of independent irrigation and drainage ditches along the short side of field plot. However, the number of farm roads at farmland consolidation zone was much smaller than number of irrigation ditches to decrease reduction in farmland area. The standard field plot was medium-sized (about 20-40 ares) in Korea but small-sized (about 10 ares) in Japan in this period. As the result of farmland consolidation works, the unit water requirement was increased to 0.0035 m³/s/ha, and the unit area drainage discharge was over 2.0 m³/s/km² in many cases. The farmland consolidation with medium-sized plot have been spread under the colonial landlord system, where major landlords occupied a large share of farmland and managed corporate farming to gain more benefit. The reasons for spread of farmland consolidation with medium-sized plot may be as follows: high net profit ratio, an increase in land price, and labor savings in rice farming. The farmland consolidation with medium-sized plot in the colonial period showed intermediate features between the farm consolidation with small-sized plot for an increase in land productivity in Japan and the farm consolidation with medium-sized plot for an increase in labor productivity after the 1960s.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.955-964
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• 2023

This study was conducted to obtain basic data on efficient and eco-friendly crop cultivation for urban residents who enjoy urban agriculture as a hobby or leisure activity. We planted strawberry(Fragaria x ananassa)(S) and kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris var. humilis)(K) in different ratios to analyze the differences in soil environment, growth, physiology, and productivity, and to investigate the effects. Strawberry growth was optimal with S1K2 ratio, whereas the S1K1 ratio treatment showed the highest levels of physiology and productivity. In terms of growth and physiology, kidney beans tended to perform best in S1K2 treatment. The average number of productive pods was two, with a highest average value of 2.3 being recorded in S2K1 treatment planted with a high percentage of strawberries. In terms of growth, physiology, and prodctivity our findings indicate that it would be desirable to plant starwberries and kidney bean in a 1:1 ratio. However, considering the environmental characteristics of walls and rooftops, it is necessary to effectively manage crops suitable for these conditions. Furthermore, additional studies should be conducted to analyze the quality of fruits and seeds producted, both qualitatively and quantitatively in the future.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.122-142
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• 2012

The importance of rainfed areas and animal agriculture on productivity enhancement and food security for economic rural growth in Asia is discussed in the context of opportunities for increasing potential contribution from them. The extent of the rainfed area of about 223 million hectares and the biophysical attributes are described. They have been variously referred to inter alia as fragile, marginal, dry, waste, problem, threatened, range, less favoured, low potential lands, forests and woodlands, including lowlands and uplands. Of these, the terms less favoured areas (LFAs), and low or high potential are quite widely used. The LFAs are characterised by four key features: i) very variable biophysical elements, notably poor soil quality, rainfall, length of growing season and dry periods, ii) extreme poverty and very poor people who continuously face hunger and vulnerability, iii) presence of large populations of ruminant animals (buffaloes, cattle, goats and sheep), and iv) have had minimum development attention and an unfinished wanting agenda. The rainfed humid/sub-humid areas found mainly in South East Asia (99 million ha), and arid/semi-arid tropical systems found in South Asia (116 million ha) are priority agro-ecological zones (AEZs). In India for example, the ecosystem occupies 68% of the total cultivated area and supports 40% of the human and 65% of the livestock populations. The area also produces 4% of food requirements. The biophysical and typical household characteristics, agricultural diversification, patterns of mixed farming and cropping systems are also described. Concerning animals, their role and economic importance, relevance of ownership, nomadic movements, and more importantly their potential value as the entry point for the development of LFAs is discussed. Two examples of demonstrated success concern increasing buffalo production for milk and their expanded use in semi-arid AEZs in India, and the integration of cattle and goats with oil palm in Malaysia. Revitalised development of the LFAs is justified by the demand for agricultural land to meet human needs e.g. housing, recreation and industrialisation; use of arable land to expand crop production to ceiling levels; increasing and very high animal densities; increased urbanisation and pressure on the use of available land; growing environmental concerns of very intensive crop production e.g. acidification and salinisation with rice cultivation; and human health risks due to expanding peri-urban poultry and pig production. The strategies for promoting productivity growth will require concerted R and D on improved use of LFAs, application of systems perspectives for technology delivery, increased investments, a policy framework and improved farmer-researcher-extension linkages. These challenges and their resolution in rainfed areas can forcefully impact on increased productivity, improved livelihoods and human welfare, and environmental sustainability in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.133-138
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: Production function gives the equation that shows the relationship between the quantities of productive factors used and the amount of product obtained, and can answer a variety of questions. This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between irrigation water used for rice production and rice productivity by the production function which shows the mathematical relation between input and output. METHODS AND RESULTS: The statistical data on rice production and on the amount of irrigation water were used for the production function analysis. The analysis period was separated for 1966-1981 and 1982-2011, based on goal's change on agriculture from 'increasing food' to 'complex farming'. The relation between irrigation and yield considering production function is a short-term production function both before and after 1982. These results can be expressed by the sigmoid relation. When comparing the graphs of the two analyzed periods, there are differences in quantity between the maximum point and the minimum point during the same analysis period, which can be called an 'Irrigation Effect' by the difference of irrigation, and 'Technical Effect' by the difference by inputs like as fertilizers etc. CONCLUSION: The results could be useful as information for assessing the relationship between agricultural water and the productivity of rice and predicting rice productivity by irrigation water in Korea.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2024

Corn is essential for both humans and animals. The crop is the third most important food crop after rice and wheat. A rise in farming is resulting in a lack of self-sufficiency of high quality forages. Therefore, corn cultivars in Korea must be optimized to increase productivity and yield. A study was conducted in Pyeongchang, South Korea between 2021-2022 to evaluate the characteristics and productivity of three corn cultivars: Kwangpyeongok, AGR 41, and Nero IT. Different varieties of corn were sown in Pyeongchang on April 29 and April 27 of 2021 and 2022, respectively. The productivity and characteristics of the cultivars Kwangpyeongok, AGR 41, and Nero IT were evaluated during the yellowing ripening stage. The characteristics included the leaves, stems, grain, and stover content. Across different corn cultivars, there was no significant difference in stem height, diameter, forage or grain quantity based on an average of two years. Yet, significant differences were noted in the stem heights of all cultivars between 2021 and 2022 (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the diameters of Kwangpyeongok and Nero IT between 2021 and 2022. A significant difference in forage yield was observed for Nero IT between 2021 and 2022. The yield of grains and forages was higher in 2021 than in 2022, which could be attributed to temperature and precipitation variations. We can conclude from these data that all cultivars in Pyeongchang showed significant productivity and yield, which could be useful to produce nutrient rich silage for livestock.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.109-130
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• 2022

The Vietnamese government has proposed contract farming through a new type of cooperative as an institutional innovation which aims to restructure the agricultural sector. However, policy changes often impact farmers, who bear the primary effects of the transition process. Understanding households' strategies for land use and livelihood is crucial for policymaking in the agricultural development field. This study was conducted in the rural Binh Dao commune in Central Vietnam. We analyzed household members' labor force changes and their livelihood behaviors after their participation in a contract farming scheme using qualitative analysis methods combined with geographic information system (GIS) support, based on secondary data and in-depth interviews of 190 farmers. Simultaneously, we created a digital map of the cooperative's production area to investigate changes in land use and production activities. The findings show that contract farming shaped the vertical coordination of the value chain from the farmers to the cooperative and agricultural product trading companies. Subsequently, it encouraged land use and labor efficiency due to mechanical support. In addition, it also increased productivity and protected farmers from market risks. However, despite its positive effects on agricultural productivity in this case, the contract farming scheme could not achieve the restructuring of the rural labor force toward non-agricultural sectors. Ironically, farmers in the Binh Dao commune tended to increase cultivable land during the agricultural restructuring program, rather than switching their labor forces to non-agricultural sectors. The lack of stable non-farming job opportunities in rural Vietnam results in challenges to the efficiency of agricultural restructuring programs. Consequently, farmers in the Binh Dao commune are still smallholder farmers, depending on the family labor force.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.295-305
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• 2013

Purpose: Recent research showed that total mixed ration (TMR) feeding for pigs improved the productivity and reduced feed cost and manure odor. An automatic TMR feeding system was developed for this study because the conventional feeder cannot deliver the TMR containing roughage. Methods: Conventional feeding systems and physical properties of TMR were surveyed, and performance tests of the conventional feeder were conducted to develop a TMR feeder. Based on the TMR feeder was developed and installed, driving, measuring weight, radio frequency identification (RFID) reading, and discharging test for feeding were conducted to ensure the performance. Results: Moisture content, density, and angle of repose of the TMR 1 (mixture of 30% cut IRG silage and 70% concentrates) were 31.6%, 387 $kg/m^3$, and $51^{\circ}$, respectively. Moisture content, density, and angle of repose of the TMR 2 (mixture of 45% concentrates, 30% cut IRG silage and by-products, 10% bean curd refuse, 10% others, and 5% fermenter) were 22.2%, 544 $kg/m^3$, and $50^{\circ}$, respectively. The coefficient of variation (C.V.) of conventional concentrate feeding were 1.9~4.1%, and C.V. of TMR containing 1~3% cut IRG roughage feeding by conventional feeder were 9~42%. The conventional disc type feeder was not suitable for TMR feeding because the supply unit was clogged. The C.V. of TMR 1 was 0.6~7.9% when 0.5~10 kg of the TMR supplied, and it was suitable for feeding grow-finish pigs and sows. On the contrary, the C.V. with TMR 2 was 28% when 0.5 kg of the TMR supplied, and it was not suitable for feeding sows. Conclusions: The TMR feeder developed in this study was suitable for feeding grow-finish pigs because the feeder performed stably with over 5.0 kg feed. However, the feeder showed a lack of accuracy for feeding sows because the amount of each feed was more than 0.5 kg per a feeding. Therefore, the improvement of outlet structure for accurate feeding is needed for sow feeding.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.408-414
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to find out optimum cultivated regions for rice organic farming. The organic and conventional rice as control were grown in three different places : secluded hill paddy field for Hapcheon, normal rural paddy field for Sancheong, and suburban paddy field for Jinju from 2005 to 2006. In secluded hill paddy field, the organic material and pesticide to control pest and disease were input twice for organic and conventional rice cultivation. However, in normal rural and suburban paddy field, those were input three times for organic and conventional rice cultivation. The occurrence of sheath blight in organic farming was higher than in conventional farming. Whereas brown planthopper population per 20 plant was significantly high 10.1~19.5 for conventional farming compared with 4.4~10.0 for organic farming. For that reason, the density of the brown planthoppers was higher in organic farming than those in conventional farming. Dominated weeds occurred in organic and conventional paddy field were namely Monochoria vaginalis, Ludwigia prostrata, and Cyperus difformis. The population per 20 plant and dried weight per $m^2$ of weeds were higher in 121 and 50.5 g for organic paddy field. The productivity of rice in different cultivated regions for organic farming was $2.96Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in hill paddy field, $4.03Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in normal rural and suburban paddy field. Toyo-taste value and ratio of perfect grain of milled rice were not different by cultivated regions in both farming system.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.383-388
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• 2007

In precision farming, proper calibration and operation of a variable rate machine are critical to reduce input of agrochemicals and to ensure productivity and quality of agricultural products. As an effort to introduce precision farming to rice production in Korea, a pneumatic granular applicator was developed. This investigation intended to evaluate the application performance such as application accuracy, application uniformity and to suggest how to adjust the blow-heads to get uniform application pattern, and to suggest a practical way of adjustment of the blow-heads for uniform application. Tests to evaluate the application performance were conducted. The application uniformities (CV) in both transverse direction and longitudinal direction were less than 15% and application accuracy was greater than 81%. A simple method for adjusting the inserting length of blow-heads was suggested.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.19 no.spc
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• pp.6-8
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• 2011

In order to produce the organic foods in accord with international standard, organic seeds should be used in organic farming. This study was conducted to establish the stable production of organic seed of waxy com by examining the growing characteristics, seed yield, and the economy for seed production by organic farming. The optimal sowing timing for organic seed production of waxy com hybrid was within 10 days of the $1^{st}$ of May with yield of 88~90% of conventional seed production. The optimal planting density was 41,600 plants/ha ($80{\times}30$ cm) for organic seed production of waxy com. The weight of 100 seeds and seed productivity increased at the planting ratio of 2:1 mother plant:male plant. Growth and seed production were improved by removing male plant at 7~10 days after silking. Organic fertilizer (mixed oil cake) was applied at a rate of 4~6 Mg/ha before sowing. Black plastic mulching was used for weed control. In addition, sex pheromone trap and bio-control agents were used for safe pest control and low labour cost.