• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.213-233
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• 1979

It is generally agreed that the country's population will grow up to the level of 52 million by the year of 2000 and that due the active growth of industry, urbanization and road constructions, sizable portion of existing arable lands will be utilized for other purposes than agriculture in near future. From 1966 to 1977, it was estimated that, the average annual conversion of arable lands to other uses, was 12,909 ha. If this trend persists, it is predicted that from 1978 to 1991 when the 6th Five Years Economic Development Plan will terminate, approximately 181,000 ha of arable lands will be converted for other uses again. On the other hand, it is certain that the increased population (39 million in 1981, 45 million in 1991, 52 million in 2001) and the changes in food pattern along with the enhancement of living standards will bring about the phenomenal increase in demands for not only the staple food but also the livestock products such as meat, milk and eggs, vegetables and fruits. These future increased demands for various foods, naturally mean the increased needs for the expansion of arable lands at the same time. It is predicted that, if more activities than present scale are not taken for the expansion of arable lands, the national food self sufficiency level will drop from 79% in 1977 down to 62% in 1991. To meet the increased food demands in future, there are several ways and means. These will include the increased land use intensity, elevation of unit area yield levels, minimization of conversion of arable lands to other uses and expansion of arable lands through the reclamations of idle hillside lands and tidal lands. Among these, the expansion of arable lands through reclamations of idle hillside lands and tidal lands are more positive measures to cope with the increased production of foods in future. The reclamation of hillside lands demands more attention because it needs more advanced technologies in agronomical and engineering aspects, larger scale fundings and integrated socioeconomic considerations. In agromical aspects, the thechniques for early improvement of chemical and physical properties of soils, proper soil conservation measures and rational cropping systems are of particular importance. As to the financial supports to encourage the farmings in hillside land, much bold fund inputs are essential for the construction of roads, installation of irrigation and drainage facilities, soil conservation mechanisms, which will ensure the stabilized farming with reasonable incomes in the newly reclaimed lands.