• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.619-627
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• 2022

In Korea, apples and pears are among the most important agricultural products to farmers who seek to earn money as income. Generally, farmers make decisions at various stages to maximize their income but they do not always know exactly which option will be the best one. Many previous studies were conducted to solve this problem by predicting farmers' income structure, but researchers are still exploring better approaches. Currently, machine learning technology is gaining attention as one of the new approaches for farmers' income prediction. The machine learning technique is a methodology using an algorithm that can learn independently through data. As the level of computer science develops, the performance of machine learning techniques is also improving. The purpose of this study is to predict the income structure of apples and pears using the automatic machine learning solution H2O.AI and to present some implications for apple and pear farmers. The automatic machine learning solution H2O.AI can save time and effort compared to the conventional machine learning techniques such as scikit-learn, because it works automatically to find the best solution. As a result of this research, the following findings are obtained. First, apple farmers should increase their gross income to maximize their income, instead of reducing the cost of growing apples. In particular, apple farmers mainly have to increase production in order to obtain more gross income. As a second-best option, apple farmers should decrease labor and other costs. Second, pear farmers also should increase their gross income to maximize their income but they have to increase the price of pears rather than increasing the production of pears. As a second-best option, pear farmers can decrease labor and other costs.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.244-253
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• 2022

Background: The indiscriminate use of pesticides in Nigeria may have harmful effects on reproductive health of farmers. Objectives: This study assessed the awareness of reproductive health, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, estradiol, progesterone and sperm characteristics of male farmers occupationally exposed to pesticides. Methods: Eighty four male farmers were recruited for the study. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain the socio-demographic data. Blood and semen samples were collected from the subjects in the morning for hormonal assays and semen analysis using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and SQAV sperm quality analyzer. Data were analyzed using chi square, Student's-t-test, and Regression analysis. Results: Serum FSH (p<0.01), LH (p<0.005) and Estradiol (p<0.001) were significantly higher while prolactin (p<0.02) and testosterone (p<0.001) were significantly lower among pesticides exposed farmers than nonexposed subjects. Some 34/84 (40.5%) of the pesticides exposed farmers had serum testosterone levels below the lower limit of the reference range. Those with low testosterone levels (p<0.001), also had FSH (p<0.05), LH (p<0.001) and Estradiol (p<0.002) significantly lower than those with normal testosterone levels. The sperm count among pesticides exposed farmers; total motility and percentage morphology were significantly lower than non-pesticides exposed subjects. Some 14/84 (16.7%) of the pesticides exposed farmers had sperm count below 15 million/mL (oligozoospermia). More than 70% of the farmers were not aware of the reproductive health risks associated with pesticides and only 23.8% of the farmers were using protective devices. Conclusions: Deliberate efforts to improve awareness, knowledge, personal hygiene, and interventions necessary to lessen both pesticides exposure and health risks by adopting safe practices are suggested.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.8 no.1 s.15
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• pp.94-104
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• 2002

In spite of the importance of the farm area in Seoul, in providing fresh vegetables, a pleasant environment and a good quality of life for residents, rapid urbanization and industrialization have greatly reduced the farm area. The purpose of this study is to examine farmers' intentions and attitudes to provide supporting data for planning the strategy of urban agricultural development. All the collected data was analyzed using the contingency tables and the Chi-square test using the SAS computer statistical package. Based on analysis of the survey data, the leaseholders were found to be more satisfied with their job than the landowning farmers. Also, the small-scale farmers with green houses showed greater job satisfaction than the ordinary large-scale farmers. Farmers' views on the farming in Seoul were different depending on their status. Therefore, agricultural strategies in there should be considered their different attitudes.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 1994

From 1995, the WTO(World Trade Organization) system will be activated in the world market. Therefore more liberalization in agricultural are expected. Korean farmers should be trained to overcome the difficulty due to trade liberalization. The non-formal education for farmers is carried out by various forms but does not fit need of farmers mostly. The moor part of non formal training was focused on agricultural skills so there must be more emphasis on non-agricultural skills. There are some lacks in linkage between training and government support for trainees. So more support for farmers trainees such as aspects(for example cure finanical support) and non economic support(for example the raising of farmers morale) are needed.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.209-219
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• 1996

This research was carried out to get the basic information on the current situation of personal computer utilization for poultry farm management, and the results obtained could be used in developing of the software system for the poultry farm management. Survey method by interview and mail was adopted to carry out the research, and the total number of data used to statistical analyses was k6 poultry farmers. 1. The ratio of the poultry farmers who had the personal computer(P/C) was about 25%, and the most of the layer farmers from age 30 to 40 who manage the flock size 20,000 or above had the P/C. 2. About 70% of the farmers who had P/C have bought the system after 1993, and 83% of those farmers had the P/C-486 or above level system. They bought the P/C with intent to apply it to farm management(39%) and education for children(31%). 3. About 50% of the farmers who had P/C obtained the relevant knowledge for operating computer system by themselves, and the 33% of the P/C-possessed farmers used P/C for word-processor. 4. About 35% of the farmers who had P/C applied their system to analyse the management analyses, and the sarne ratio of the farmers answered that they didn't apply the system to their farm management. 5. About 25% of the farmers who had P/C used package software, and the company which installed the automated cage system offered the software. 6. Most of the farmers considered the computerization of the farm management positively, and they answered that they will apply P/C to their management actively from now on. 7. About 56% of the farmers didn't think that they had sufficient knowledge for operating computer system, and a quarter of them pointed that the difficulty of the buying software for poultry farm management was the most biggest problem to spread out the computerization in the poultry farm. 8. Most of the poultry farmers didn't buy P/C because they didn't have the relevant knowledge for computer system, but they wanted to learn basic knowledge for computer, and they had the intention to apply computer to their management positively. In order to expand the computerization for poultry farm management, appropriate education system for the farmers from age 30 to 40 who manage the flock size 20,000 or above and the development of the software that could be applied to poultry farm management on the spot efficiently should be made.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.822-832
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• 2018

Objective To determine the socio-demographic, psychologic, hematologic, or other relevant factors associated with hand grip strength in Korean farmers. Methods A total of 528 healthy Korean farmers were enrolled. Hand grip strength was measured in both hands using a hydraulic dynamometer. Socio-demographic characteristics were assessed and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Psycho-cognitive measurements such as sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and Go/No-Go test response time were conducted. In addition to physical measurements, serologic parameters including insulin-like growth factor 1 were measured. The factors associated with hand grip strength were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis after adjusting for age, height, and weight. Results The mean hand grip strength was associated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total score (${\beta}=-0.12$, p=0.01), the Go/No-Go test response time (${\beta}=-0.18$, p=0.001), vitamin D (${\beta}=0.12$, p=0.02), and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels (${\beta}=0.1$, p=0.045). In female farmers, hand grip strength was only associated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total score (${\beta}=-0.32$, p<0.001). Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that hand grip strength was associated with sleep quality and attention in Korean farmers.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.181-191
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of young farmers' residential location characteristics. Based on residential location theory and previous studies on the stated preference for residential environment of young farmers, this study develops a spatial econometrics model using housing and neighborhood variables, accessibility variables, natural environment variables and farm economics and management variables. The findings suggest that the higher rate of young farmers has a positive relationship with higher population density, higher housing price, closer distance to city centers and Eup districts compared to Myeon districts. In addition, areas which have higher rate of farmers with high sales and growing certain crops such as fruits and vegetables are revealed to have higher rate of young farmers. This study presents that maintaining rural vitality is also crucial for attracting young farmers to rural areas and remaining them in the farm as active agricultural workforce.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.301-328
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• 2007

The purposes of this study were to classify the silver farming types and to investigate proper crops for silver farmers. Data were collected from 408 farmers returned from the urban area. Descriptive statistics were employed using SPSS/PC windows program. After then, researchers discussed the silver farming patterns and their proper crops, and tried to analyze the silver farming model. Major results were as follows: The farming aims of retirees, urban residents as well as farmers returned from the urban area were various from hobby/ leisure to income generating activities. Fourteen types of silver farming were classified by farming aim and residential area of retirees. Retirees in the hobby/leisure-oriented silver farming type can select and enjoy the various plants, animals, and insects as well as crops due to their small scale. Silver farmers in the self-sufficiency type may select crops for their food. Income-oriented silver farmers may have difficulties in choosing the proper crop. They must consider their income needs, health status and field location. Profit-oriented silver farmers with venture mind can have some business opportunities in the agricultural sectors in spite of severe competition. As the aged silver farmers have poor health, they must keep work safety rules, use the proper work-aids, and utilize the labor-saving farming system.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.251-261
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• 2023

Objective: Farmers are known to have high prevalence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). This study aims to investigate the current status of asthma and COPD in domestic and foreign farmers with the ultimate goal of raising awareness of asthma and COPD among farmers and contribute to supporting evidence for the prevention of respiratory diseases in farmers. Methods: The study utilized data from the "Farmer's Occupational Disease Survey," conducted by the Rural Development Administration, to determine the prevalence of respiratory diseases in domestic farmers. The prevalence of asthma and COPD in overseas farmers was evaluated by researching other foreign studies and articles. Results: The prevalence of asthma and COPD in domestic farmers was less than of foreign farmers'. The prevalence of asthma in domestic farmers was high as upto 8.4% and COPD upto 5.5%. Studies from Europe and America showed prevalence of asthma in farmers high as upto 14.8% and COPD upto 17.1%. Conclusions: This study conducted an investigation using the 'Survey on Occupational Diseases and Injuries in Farmers to understand the current status of asthma and COPD in domestic farmers. Due to a lack of relevant domestic research, we examined and compared with the research results on asthma and COPD among overseas farmers. Further research is necessary and preventive measures for respiratory diseases need to be developed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.333-344
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• 2016

Objectives: This study aimed to examine risk-accepting personality traits and associated factors among farmers. Methods: Data were collected from farmers aged over 40 living in Goryeong, North Gyeongsang-do Province, Korea. Study participants were enrolled in the Korean Rural Cohort study from 2011 to 2014. Surveys for the risk perception of farming were made through face-to-face interviews. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were conducted adjusting for gender, age, marital status, and education. Results: Several factors such as gender, age, marital status, age first worked as a farmer, duration of farming, and history of pesticide poisoning were associated with risk-accepting personality traits among farmers. Farmers with risk-accepting personalities tend to be older, less educated, and have self-employed health insurance. Farmers who started farming after the age of 50 are likely to be risk averse compared to farmers who started farming before the age of 20 (OR=0.41, 95% CI; 0.21, 0.82). Frequent spraying of pesticides was marginally associated with higher risk acceptance among female farmers (OR=1.61, 95% CI: 0.99, 2.64). Male farmers who had experienced pesticide poisoning in their lifetime showed higher odds of risk-accepting personality traits (OR=2.20, 95% CI: 1.03, 4.72) Conclusion: Risk-acceptors were more likely to spray pesticides frequently and to experience more pesticide poisoning compared to risk-averse individuals. This result suggests that farming hazards are to some degree driven by risk-accepting personality traits. Further investigation of how risk-accepting behaviors influence farming practices and pesticide poisoning is needed.