• Title/Summary/Keyword: Need ratio

Search Result 1,907, Processing Time 0.034 seconds

Selective Algicidal Effects of a Newly Developed GreenTD against Red Tide Harmful Alga (GreenTD 물질을 이용한 유해 적조 발생 종의 선택적 살조능 평가)

  • Lee, Minji;Shin, Juyong;Kim, Jin Ho;Lim, Young Kyun;Cho, Hoon;Baek, Seung Ho
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
    • /
    • v.36 no.3
    • /
    • pp.359-369
    • /
    • 2018
  • Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a serious problem for public health and fisheries industries, thus there exists a need to investigate the possible ways for effective control of HABs. In the present study, we investigated the algicidal effects of a newly developed GreenTD against the HABs (Chattonella marina, Heterosigma akashiwo, Cochlodinium polykriokides, and Heterocapsa circularisquama) and non-HABs (Chaetoceros simplex, Skeletonema sp. and Tetraselmis sp.), which is focused on the different population density and concentration gradients of algicidal substances. The time series viability of target alga was assessed based on the activity of Chl. a photosynthetic efficiency in terms of $F_v/F_m$, and in vivo fluorescence (FSU). Effective control of Raphidophyta, C. marina and H. akashiwo was achieved at a GreenTD concentration of $0.5{\mu}gL^{-1}$ and $0.2{\mu}gL^{-1}$, respectively, and regrowth of both the species was not observed even after 14 days. The inhibitory ratio of the dinoflagellate, C. polykriokides was more than 80% at $0.2{\mu}gL^{-1}$ of GreenTD. H. circularisquama was constantly affected in the presence of $0.2{\mu}gL^{-1}$ of GreenTD in the high- and low-population density experimental groups. On the other hand, diatoms, C. simplex, and Skeletonema sp. were not significantly affected even in the presence of $0.2{\mu}gL^{-1}$ of GreenTD and exhibited re-growth activity with the passage of incubation time. In particular, green alga Tetraselmis sp. remained unaffected even in the presence of the highest concentration of GreenTD ($1.0{\mu}gL^{-1}$), implying that non-HABs were not greatly influenced by the algicidal substances. As a result, the algicidal activity of GreenTD on the harmful and nonharmful algae was as follows: raphidophyte>dinoflagellates>diatoms>green alga. Consequently, our results indicate that inoculation of GreenTD substances into natural blooms at a threshold concentration ($0.2{\mu}gL^{-1}$) can maximize the algicidal activity against HABs species. If we consider the dilution and diffusion rate in the field application, it is hypothesized that GreenTD will demonstrate economic efficiency, thus leading to effective control against the target HABs in the closed bay.

The Growth Performances and Soil Properties of Planted Zelkova serrata Trees according to Fertilization in Harvested Pinus rigida Plantation over 6 Years after Planting (조림지 시비 처리에 따른 리기다소나무 벌채지 내 식재 6년 후 느티나무 조림지 토양 및 조림목 생장 특성)

  • Yang, A-Ram;Cho, Min Seok
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
    • /
    • v.108 no.1
    • /
    • pp.29-39
    • /
    • 2019
  • The objective of this study was to suggest a suitable amount of fertilizer using the changes in growth performances and soil properties for improving survival and quality of Zelkova serrata trees in a harvested Pinus rigida plantation. One-year-old containerized seedlings of Z. serrata were planted with the density of 3000 seedlings $ha^{-1}$ in end of March 2011 at Gwangneung experimental forest, Pocheon. Solid compound fertilizer (N:P:K=3:4:1) were applied yearly in three amounts (control: no fertilization, F1: $180kg\;ha^{-1}$, and F2: $360kg\;ha^{-1}$) every May from 2011 to 2013. We analyzed soil properties before (2011) and after (2012 and 2017) fertilization. And we measured the root collar diameter and height of Z. serrata trees from 2011 to 2016, and then calculated H/D ratio and stem volume. Soil properties at Z. serrata plantation did not show difference according to fertilization level in every investigation year. As time passed after planting, however, concentrations of total nitrogen and available phosphorus were increased from decreased. The growth of root collar diameter, height and stem volume of Z. serrata trees at F2 plot were significantly higher those at the other plots after only 2 years of fertilization. Because Z. serrata tree demand to more nutrient during the early growing period. The survival rate of Z. serrata trees at control plot was significantly lower than that at the other plots. This might be due to Z. serrata trees at control plot had not the upper hand from competition with vegetation at the early in planting. However, the growth of height and stem volume of Z. serrata trees between F1 and F2 plots did not show difference over 6 years after planting. Consequently, we could suggest that Z. serrata trees need to F1 fertilization level for considering improving survival and quality of Z. serrata trees and economical efficiency of plantation managements after harvesting P. rigida plantation.

A Study on the Determinants of Demand for Visiting Department Stores Using Big Data (POS) (빅데이터(POS)를 활용한 백화점 방문수요 결정요인에 관한 연구)

  • Shin, Seong Youn;Park, Jung A
    • Land and Housing Review
    • /
    • v.13 no.4
    • /
    • pp.55-71
    • /
    • 2022
  • Recently, the domestic department store industry is growing into a complex shopping cultural space, which is advanced and differentiated by changes in consumption patterns. In addition, competition is intensifying across 70 places operated by five large companies. This study investigates the determinants of the visits to department stores using the big data concept's automatic vehicle access system (pos) and proposes how to strengthen the competitiveness of the department store industry. We use a negative binomial regression test to predict the frequency of visits to 67 branches, except for three branches whose annual sales were incomplete due to the new opening in 2021. The results show that the demand for visiting department stores is positively associated with airport, terminal, and train stations, land areas, parking lots, VIP lounge numbers, luxury store ratio, F&B store numbers, non-commercial areas, and hotels. We suggest four strategies to enhance the competitiveness of domestic department stores. First, department store consumers have a high preference for luxury brands. Therefore, department stores need to form their own overseas buyer teams to discover and attract new luxury brands and attract customers who have a high demand for luxury brands. In addition, to attract consumers with high purchasing power and loyalty, it is necessary to provide more differentiated products and services for VIP customers than before. Second, it is desirable to focus on transportation hub areas such as train stations, airports, and terminals in Gyeonggi and Incheon. Third, department stores should attract tenants who can satisfy customers, given that key tenants are an important component of advanced shopping centers for department stores. Finally, the department store, a top-end shopping center, should be developed as a space with differentiated shopping, culture, dining out, and leisure services, such as "The Hyundai", which opened in 2021, to ensure future growth potential.

Distributional Characteristics, Population Structures and Fruition Dynamics of Korean Endemic plant, Prunus choreiana H. T. Im (한국특산 복사앵도나무(Prunus choreiana H. T. Im)의 분포특성, 개체군구조 및 결실동태)

  • Kim, Young-Chul;Chae, Hyun-Hee;Son, Sung-Won
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
    • /
    • v.36 no.2
    • /
    • pp.177-201
    • /
    • 2022
  • Following the adoption of the global plant conservation strategies at the Conference of the Parties for Biodiversity Conservation, diligent actions to achieve each targets are actively carried out. In particular, the need for ecological conservation research to achieve targets 2 and 7 of GSPC-2020 has increased. The priority taxa to accomplish the objectives of GSPC-2020 are rare and endemic plants. In particular, endemic plants with limited distribution in specific regions are evaluated to face a high risk of extinction. To address the necessity to preserve endemic plants, we investigated the distribution of Prunus choreiana H. T. Im, a Korean endemic plant. After that, we examined the vegetational environment of the habitat of P. choreiana and evaluated its population structure. The productivity of its fruits and the effects of pollinators on fruit production were evaluated as well. The fruiting ratio was calculated based on the number of flowers produced. Lastly, we observed the annual growth characteristics of P. choreiana. The habitats of P. choreiana did not show a specific type of vegetation. All of them were located in a limestone area of Gangwon-do in the central Korean Peninsula and occupied a site where the coverage of the tree layer and the sub-tree layer was not high or did not exist. The population structure of P. choreiana contained a high proportion of mature plants capable of producing fruits and a low proportion of seedlings and Juvenile plants. We found that the production of fruits required pollinators and was affected by the performance of each plant. Although P. choreiana produces many flowers, only a maximum of 20% and only 2-6% on average bear fruits. These flowering characteristics may be due to pollinators' low abundance and activity during the flowering season (between mid-March and early April), suggesting that many flowers are needed to attract more pollinators. We rarely observed the re-establishment of seedlings in the population of P. choreiana. Despite that, we predict the population to persist owing to its long lifespan and periodic production of numerous fruits. However, if the tree layer and sub-tree layer in competing status with P. choreiana increase their crown density, they are expected to inhibit the growth of P. choreiana and affect the risk of its extinction. Therefore, the current changes in the vegetational environment of the habitats are expected to decrease the number and extent of P. choreiana in the long term. The results of this study may serve as primary and important data necessary for the achievement of GSPC-2020 objectives.

Study on nutrition, dietary and health status of middle-aged Korean men according to sedentary hours: based on the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (중장년 한국 남성의 좌식 시간에 따른 영양, 식이 및 건강행태 연구: 국민건강영양조사 제8기 1차년도(2019년) 자료를 이용하여)

  • Jeong, Dajeong;Lee, Jeehyun;Yoon, Eunju
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
    • /
    • v.55 no.3
    • /
    • pp.359-375
    • /
    • 2022
  • Purpose: Adult Korean men belonging to the main economically active population are known to have long sedentary hours. This study was undertaken to determine the difference and relevance of sedentary hours on the nutrition, diet, and health status of adult men, and to suggest how to prevent health risk factors. Methods: Subjects (n = 1,068) were classified into 4 groups based on their sedentary hours, ranging from the first quartile (Q1) having the least hours spent sitting, to the fourth quartile (Q4) spending the longest hours. Results: Subjects belonging to Q4 had the lowest average age, the largest waist circumference, and the highest level of education. Among those engaged in economic activities, the ratio of white-collar workers was significantly higher in Q4. Accordingly, the rate of not doing high-intensity or moderate-intensity physical activity while working was also the highest in Q4. A significant difference was obtained in the drinking frequency between groups, but this was found to be associated with the average working hours rather than sedentary hours. The proportion of not doing aerobic exercise was higher with longer sitting hours. The highest diagnosis of diabetes (8.8%) was obtained in the Q4 group. Among the factors related to cardiovascular disease, only low density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed a significant difference, with Q4 being significantly higher than Q1. Considering energy and nutrient intake, vitamin B1 and calcium intake were the lowest in the group with the longest sitting hours, as well as the least consumption of vitamin C than the recommended estimated average requirement. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the health and nutritional status of Korean adult men are affected by sedentary hours. This should be recognized as a health risk factor and guidelines need to be developed for sedentary lifestyle management.

A review of the mass-mortalities of sea-cage farm fishes (해상 가두리양식장 양식어류의 대량폐사에 대하여)

  • Han, Jido;Lee, Deok-Chan
    • Journal of fish pathology
    • /
    • v.35 no.1
    • /
    • pp.1-25
    • /
    • 2022
  • The aquaculture industry has developed rapidly over the last three decades and is an important industry that supplies over 15% of humans' animal protein intake; therefore, there is a need to increase production to meet the continuous demand. The fish cage farms on the southern coast (Kyengsangnam-do and Jeollanam-do) of Korea are critical resources in aquaculture because they account for approximately 90% of the national total fish cage farms by water area ratio. However, the current aquaculture environment is being gradually affected by climate change, which is a global issue, and its effects are expected to intensify in the future. Therefore, it is urgently imperative to accurately evaluate the effects of climate change on South Korean aquaculture industries and to develop social and national strategies to minimize damage to the fishing industry. The damage to fish farmed in cage farms on the southern coast is increasing annually and the leading causes are high and low water temperature and red tides, which are directly or indirectly related to climate change. At present, global warming can provide opportunities for aquaculture industrialization of fish or other novel species, with economic implications. However, despite such opportunities, the influx of new species can also cause problems such as ecological disturbances, increase in the reproduction frequency of microalgae such as red tide, increase in disease incidence, and occurrence and periods of high water temperatures in summer. The scale of farmed fish mortality is increasing due to the complex effects of these factors. Increased damages due to fish mortality not only have severe economic impacts on the aquaculture industry, but the social costs of responding to the damage and follow-up measures also increase. various active responses can reduce the mortality damage in fish farms such as improving the management skills in aquaculture, improved species breeding, efficient food management, disease prevention, proactive responses, and system-wide improvements. This review article analyzes the large-scale mortality cases occurring in fish cage farms on the southern coast of Korea and proposes measures to mitigate mortality and enhance responses to such scenarios.

The association between nutrition label utilization and disease management education among hypertension or diabetes diagnosed in Korea using 2018 Community Health Survey: a cross-sectional study (고혈압·당뇨병 진단자의 영양표시 활용과 질환관리교육의 연관성: 2018년 지역사회건강조사 자료를 활용한 횡단연구)

  • Miran Jin;Jayeun Kim;Kyuhyun Yoon
    • Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
    • /
    • v.28 no.1
    • /
    • pp.38-47
    • /
    • 2023
  • Objectives: This study examined the association between the experience of disease management education and the use of nutrition labels according to the sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviors of people diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes living in the community. Methods: Among the participants from the Community Health Survey (2018), 74,283 individuals diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes were included in the study population. According to gender, this study evaluated nutrition label use by the experience of disease management education, individual sociodemographic characteristics, and health behavior. Finally, using multiple logistic regression analysis, the association between disease management education and nutrition labels was calculated using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Males (24.5%) experienced more disease management education than females (22.6%). In addition, younger age, higher education level, and higher equalized personal income experienced more disease management education (P < 0.001). The educational experience rate was higher in the male subjects who did not smoke or were involved in high-risk alcohol consumption (P < 0.001). In addition, the rate of disease management education experience was significantly higher for both men and women who exercised by walking (P < 0.001). The use of nutrition labels was higher in females (9.9%) than males (5.8%), and both males and females were significantly higher in young age, high education, high income, and professional and office positions (P < 0.001). The utilization rate of nutrition labels was high in non-smoking male subjects and high-risk-drinking female subjects. In addition, the utilization rate of nutrition labels was significantly higher in males and females who exercised by walking and those who experienced disease management education (P < 0.001). After adjusting for individual sociodemographic characteristics, health behavior, and disease management education, the use of nutrition labels was high among females (OR 3.19, 95% CI 2.85-3.58), high income (Q4; OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.41-1.87, Q5; OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.37-1.84) and highly educated (high school; OR 2.87, 95% CI 2.62-3.14, above college; OR 5.60, 95% CI 5.02-6.23) while it was low in the elderly (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.40-0.47), and economically inactive (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.96). The use of nutrition labels was high in non-smokers (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.13-1.48), nonhigh-risk drinkers (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.08-1.38), and subjects who exercised walking (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.34-1.54). There was no difference in the utilization rate of nutrition labels according to obesity, and the utilization rate of nutrition labels was significantly higher in subjects who had experienced disease education (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.24-1.44). Conclusions: Education on the use of nutrition labels, which contributes to food selection for healthy eating, might be a tool for dietary management. Moreover, the utilization rate can be a good indicator for predicting the proportion of the population practicing the guide for disease management. Improving the utilization rate of nutrition labels through disease management education can be a useful intervention for people with chronic diseases who need healthy eating habits for disease management and preventing complications, particularly those diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes.

A Model Experiment Study to Secure the Straight Line Distance between the Air Inlet and Exhaust Section of the Living Room (거실제연설비중 공기유입구와 배출구간 직선거리 확보를 위한 모형실험연구)

  • Saeng-Gon Lee;Se-Hong Min
    • Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
    • /
    • v.19 no.2
    • /
    • pp.439-450
    • /
    • 2023
  • Purpose: When conducting fire inspections in Korea, there are objects that violate the fire protection regulations that require a straight line distance of more than 5m between the air inlet and the discharge section if the floor area is less than 400m2, and this paper analyzes the reasons and conducts a model experimental study to support the need for related fire protection regulations. Method: Domestic firefighting objects were investigated and confirmed, domestic and foreign papers, policies, and laws and regulations were examined, and spaces with a straight line distance of less than 5m and more than 5m between the air inlet and discharge section were selected and analyzed through model experiments in a living room of less than 400m2 . Result: When examining the domestic fire protection regulations (NFPCNational Fire Perpormance Code), the separation distance between the air inlet and the outlet is more than 5m when the floor area is less than 400m2 , but as a result of the actual investigation, it was confirmed that there are firefighting objects that cannot keep the separation distance. In addition, when a paper review of overseas fire protection regulations for a straight line distance of more than 5m showed that there was no regulation on the straight line distance between the air inlet and the discharge section, the model experiment showed that the discharge speed was better when the straight line distance between the air inlet and the discharge section was more than 5m than when it was less than 5m. Conclusions: In this study, when examining overseas fire laws and regulations by comparing the performance of the fire protection ratio for the straight line distance between the air inlet and the exhaust section, there is no mandatory regulation for the straight line distance, but the domestic fire protection regulations (NFPCNational Fire Perpormance Code) require more than 5m. It is hoped that this will be reflected in the design stage in the future, and a foundation will be laid to reduce the responsibility and burden of fire superintendents.

Analysis of socio-demographic and dietary factors associated with fruit and vegetable consumption among Korean adolescents: use of data from the 7th and 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2019) (한국 청소년의 과일 및 채소 섭취와 관련된 인구사회학적 특성 및 식생활 분석: 국민건강영양조사 제7-8기 (2016-2019) 자료 이용)

  • Bokyeong Yun;Seunghee Kye
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
    • /
    • v.57 no.3
    • /
    • pp.292-306
    • /
    • 2024
  • Purpose: This study investigated fruit and vegetable intake and associated socio-demographic and dietary factors, and compared the nutritional intake according to the fruit and vegetable intake level among Korean adolescents. Methods: This study was conducted on 1,676 adolescents who participated in the 2016-2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The subjects were classified into four groups based on the fruit and vegetable intake recommendations in 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans: Application (KDRIs Application): sufficient fruit intake (SF) group, sufficient vegetables intake (SV) group, sufficient fruit and vegetables intake (SFV) group, and not sufficient fruit and vegetable intake (NS) group The nutrient intake per day in each group was compared.. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors influencing fruit and vegetables intake. Results: In the sample of adolescents surveyed, only 1.40% met the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables, while 79.54% fell below the established threshold for adequate consumption. Female adolescents, those with fathers holding university degrees or above, and those who ate breakfast at least three times a week were likelier to have adequate fruit intake. Male adolescents and those from higher-income households were likelier to consume vegetables. Females, those who ate out daily, those from lower-income households, and those who understood food labels were likelier to have adequate fruit and vegetable intake. The daily nutrient intake and intake-to-requirement ratio significantly differed according to the fruit and vegetable intake groups. The NS and SF group had lower ratios for calcium and iron, while the NS group had the lowest vitamin A and C intake. By contrast, the SFV group met almost all daily nutrient requirements, except for calcium and vitamin A. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for nutrition education programs to encourage adolescents to consume adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables.

A study on the improvement of distribution system by overseas agricultural investment (해외농업투자에 따른 유통체계 개선방안에 관한 연구)

  • Sun, Il-Suck;Lee, Dong-Ok
    • Journal of Distribution Science
    • /
    • v.8 no.3
    • /
    • pp.17-26
    • /
    • 2010
  • Recently concerns have been raised due to the unbalanced supply of crops: the price of crops has been unstable and at one point the price went up so high that the word Agflation(agriculture+ inflation) was coined. Korea, in particular, is a small-sized country and needs to secure the stable supply of crops by investing in the produce importation at a national level. Investment in foreign produce importation is becoming more important as a measure for sufficient supply of crops, limited supply of domestic crops, weakened farming conditions worldwide, as well as recent changes in the use of crops due to the development of bio-fuels, influence of carbon emission on crops, the price increase in crops, and influx of foreign hot money. However, there are many problems with investing in foreign produce importation: lack of support from the government; lack of farming information and technology; difficulty in securing the capital; no immediate pay-off from the investment and insufficient management. Although foreign produce is originally more price-competitive than domestic produce, it loses its competiveness in the process of importation (due to high tariffs) and poor distribution system, which makes it difficult to sell in Korea. Therefore, investment in foreign produce importation is being questioned for feasibility; to make it possible, foreign produce must maintain the price-competitiveness. Especially, harvest of agricultural products depends on natural and geographical conditions of each country and those products have indigenous properties, so distribution system according to import and export of agricultural products should be treated more carefully than that of other industries. Distribution costs are differentiated into each item and include cost of sorting and wrapping, cost of wrapping materials, cost of domestic transport, cost of international transport and cost of clearing customs for import and export. So transporting and storing agricultural products generates considerable costs compared with other products. Also, due to upgrade of dietary life, needs for stability, taste and visible quality toward food including agricultural products are being raised and wrong way of storage causes decomposition of food and loss of freshness, making the storage more difficult than that in room temperature, so storage and transport in distribution of agricultural products needs specialty. In addition, because lack of specialty in distribution and circulation such as storage and wrapping does not solve limit factors in distance, the distribution and circulation has been limited to a form of import and export within short-distant region. Therefore, need for distribution out-sourcing which can satisfy specialty in managing distribution and circulation and it is needed to establish more effective distribution system. However, existing distribution system of agricultural products is exposed to various problems including problems in distribution channel, making distribution and strategy for distribution and those problems are as follows. First, in case of investment in overseas agricultural industry, stable supply of the products is difficult because areas of production are dispersed widely and influenced by outer factors due to including overseas distribution channels. Also, at the aspect of quality, standardization of products is difficult, distribution system is quite complicated and unreasonable due to long distribution channels according to international trade and financial and institutional support is not enough. Especially, there are quite a lot of ineffective factors including multi level distribution process, dramatic gap between production cost and customer's cost, lack of physical distribution facilities and difficulties in storage and transport due to lack of wrapping containers. Besides, because import and export of agricultural products has been manages under the company's own distribution according to transaction contract between manufacturers and exporting company, efficiency is low due to excessive investment in fixed costs and lack of specialty in dealing with agricultural products causes fall of value of products, showing the limit to lose price-competitiveness. Especially, because lack of specialty in distribution and circulation such as storage and wrapping does not solve limit factors in distance, the distribution and circulation has been limited to a form of import and export within short-distant region. Therefore, need for distribution out-sourcing which can satisfy specialty in managing distribution and circulation and it is needed to establish more effective distribution system. Second, among tangible and intangible services which promote the efficiency of the whole distribution, a function building distribution environment which includes distribution information, system for standard and inspection, distribution finance, system for diversification of risks, education and training, distribution administration and tax system is wanted. In general, such a function building distribution environment is difficult to be changed and supplement innovatively because its effect compared with investment does not appear immediately despite of its necessity. Especially, in case of distribution of agricultural products, as a function of collecting and distributing is performed individually through various channels, the importance of distribution information and standardization is getting more focus due to the problem of repetition of work and lack of specialty. Also, efficient management of distribution is quite difficult due to lack of professionals in distribution, so support to professional education is needed. Third, though effort to keep self-sufficiency ratio of staple food, rice is regarded as important at the government level, level of dependency on overseas of others crops is high. Therefore, plan for stable securing food resources aside from staple food is also necessary. Especially, governmental organizations of agricultural products distribution in Korea are production-centered and have unreasonable structure whose function at the aspect of distribution and consumption is quite insufficient. And development of new distribution channels which can deal with changes in distribution environment and they do not achieve actual results of strategy for distribution due to non-positive strategy for price distribution. That is, it implies the possibility that base for supply will become vulnerable because it does not mediate appropriate interests on total distribution channels such as manufacturers, wholesale dealers and vendors by emphasizing consumer protection excessively in the distribution of agricultural products. Therefore, this study examined fundamental concept and actual situation for our investment to overseas agriculture, drew necessities, considerations, problems, etc. of overseas agricultural investment and suggested improvements at the level of distribution for price competitiveness of agricultural products cultivated in overseas under five aspects; government's indirect support, distribution's modernization and distribution information function's strengthening, government's political support for distribution facility, transportation route, load and unloading works' improvement, price competitiveness' securing, professional manpower's cultivation by education and training, etc. Here are some suggestions for foreign produce importation. First, the government should conduct a survey on the current distribution channels and analyze the situation to establish a measure for long-term development plans. By providing each agricultural area with a guideline for planning appropriate production of crops, the government can help farmers be ready for importation, and prevent them from producing same crops all at the same time. Government can sign an MOU with the foreign government and promote the importation so that the development of agricultural resources can be stable and steady. Second, the government can establish a strategy for an effective distribution system by providing farmers and agriculture-related workers with the distribution information such as price, production, demand, market structure and location, feature of each crop, and etc. In order for such distribution system to become feasible, the government needs to reconstruct the current distribution system, designate a public organization for providing distribution information and set the criteria for level of produce quality, trade units, and package units. Third, the government should provide financial support and a policy to seek an efficient distribution channel for foreign produce to be delivered fresh: the government should expand distribution facilities (for selecting, packaging, storing, and processing) and transportation vehicles while modernizing old facilities. There should be another policy to improve the efficiency of unloading, and to lower the cost of distribution. Fourth, it is necessary to enact a new law covering exceptional cases for importing produce in order to maintain the price competitiveness; currently the high tariffs is keeping the imported produce from being distributed domestically. However, the new adjustment should be made carefully within the WTO regulations since it can create a problem from giving preferential tariffs. The government can also simplify the distribution channels in order to reduce the cost in the distribution process. Fifth, the government should educate distributors to raise the efficiency and to modernize the distribution system. It is necessary to develop human resources by educating people regarding the foreign agricultural environment, the produce quality, management skills, and by introducing some successful cases in advanced countries.

  • PDF