• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.53-75
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• 2004

This study is aimed at identifying the national economic value of the irrigation facilities by reviewing the existing papers on economic values of the irrigation facilities and presenting current status of dual O & M problems of the irrigation facilities. This study suggested the unified O & M system rather than continuing the existing dual O & M system of irrigation facilities based on the surveyed results of the activities of irrigation fraternities in Chungnam Province. The findings and proposals for the successful unified and mono O & M system of the irrigation facilities are as follows: (1) Total number of irrigation facilities in the nation accounts for 67,582, while the total length of irrigation and drainage canals amounted to about 174,259km. On account of the total length of structural canals was estimated at 31%, much losses of water and much O & M costs have been inevitable for the full irrigation rice culture. In spite of the past heavy investment for irrigation facilities, the ratio of rain-fed and partially irrigated paddy fields accounts for 23% in 2003. Both Korea Agricultural and Rural Infrastructure Corporation (KARICO) and the city and Gun Governments have managed the irrigation facilities separately by irrigation fraternities. The KARICO have commanded 59% of irrigation paddy area with 18% of the total irrigation facilities, while the city and Gun governments covered 41% of irrigation paddy area with 82% of the existing number of irrigation facilities representing small and medium scale. (2) The 1999 demand prices of irrigation water per ton expressed in 2000 constant market price was estimated at 388 won, the supply price was amounted to 184 won per ton. Considering the supply and demand curve of the irrigation water, the existing irrigation facilities could not satisfy the demand of irrigation water. (3) In 1999, total present added value of the irrigation facilities during the economic life accounted for 48 trillion won, while total supply cost was 44.7 trillion won. The marginal benefit and cost ratio of irrigation water was 1.08. (4) The total O & M cost per year amounting to 681.1 billion won have been required to maintain and repair the existing irrigation facilities in Korea. For the successful unified O & M of irrigation facilities covering whole irrigated paddy field in Korea, 950 billion won of O & M costs are required to keep up the marginal benefit of irrigation water as 2,800 billion won per year. The total O & M cost as 950 billion won should be allocated 40%, 380 billion won for O & M costs of irrigation facilities and 60%, 570 billion won for improvement of irrigation facilities. (5) The study investigated and reviewed the present O & M status of the irrigation facilities by small and medium irrigation fraternities. Most of the farmers belong to the irrigation fraternities preferred not only unified O & M but also KARICO take-over of the whole O & M activities of the irrigation facilities. The prevailing O & M cost per 10a expended by the Corporation was amounted to 104,890 won, while that of city and Gun governments was only amounted to 4,600 won per 10a. regarding the small amount of O & M cost expended by city and Gun governments, it is evident that the existing irrigation system have been managed ineffectively and deteriorated the facilities comparing that of KARICO. In conclusion, the Government could not satisfied the demand of irrigation water by suppling water with existing irrigation facilities. Therefore new additional investment and financial support for irrigation water development should be made to convert rain-fed and partially irrigated paddy fields into fully irrigated ones. The operation and maintenance cost should be supported to keep the marginal values of rice production of existing irrigation facilities in the national economy and to modernize the obsolete irrigation facilities. By unifying the existing dual O & M systems, all the farmers belong to the irrigated paddy fields have to be equally benefited and could be increased their farm income and be stabilized their rural lives.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.593-610
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• 2014

The whole world concentrates on the reduction of greenhouse gas to effectively cope with policy toward global climate change. To effectively react to climate change, even the agricultural sector requires construction of new farming systems that utilizes new and renewable energy because of rising oil prices and regulations for greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, we need to fuse the new and renewable energy with the horticulture sector of which the light and heat energy cost accounts for great part, moreover, efforts and researches should me done which can increase income of farmers through reducing carbon dioxide and energy cost in agricultural production expenses. Therefore, this study analyzes economic feasibility and applicability of fusing geothermal heat pump and solar power facilities with high-tech glass greenhouse. As a result, it is concluded that there surely are an applicability and economic feasibility if we apply new development system that can be an alternative for problems of securing premises of existing geothermal heat pump and the RPS system as a power generation company in case of solar power. Therefore, using this analysis data, if new empirical studies fusing and implementing agriculture sector with new and renewable energy fields proliferate and be applied to actual rural and agricultural field, it will increase actual income and will become a new advanced agricultural system that effectively deals with world-wide environmental problems.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.292-308
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• 1992

Recently agricultural situations are being placed in unfavourable socio-economic environment as followed by rapid decrease of rural population, poor labor quality and high wages of rural society due to high speedy industrialization of social structure in Korea. In addition to those circumstances, under the UR system to be expected in the early future, free trade of agricultural products will be faced inevitably in Korea. Practically prices of rice as a principle food in this country are expensive about three times compared to those of foreign rice markets, and so how to increase the international competitiveness and food supplies are important problems to be solved rapidly. Accordingly an urgent goal is reduction of agricultural production cost by the improvement of labour productivity as a labour saving and cost down cultivation methods as the direct seeding cultivation in rice. But there are many problems in the direct seeded rice cultivation. The important things to be improved in that cultivation are development of rice varieties with lodging tolerance, effective seedling stand, weed control, irrigation management and fertilizing and so on. Moreover agricultural basis as irrigation facilities, land consolidation and farm machineries must be improved for the stability of rice cultivation in the future.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.67-79
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• 2024

The Comprehensive Rural Village Development Project, a resident-led bottom-up regional development project, began in 2004. This study investigated difficulties and problems in the operation process after the completion of the project, and future improvement plans, through in-depth interviews with the former and current chairman of the steering committee, steering committee members, and office managers, targeting three regions in Jeollanam-do, 15 years after the completion of the project. As a result of the survey and analysis, it was effective in improving the living environment and characteristics of each village and revitalizing the area. And while there were well-run facilities depending on the type of project, there were also many idle facilities. In the case of communal facilities, there was a high possibility of problems in operation and management when the scale of the new building was large. Conflicts occurred between villages in the process of independently operating the area after the completion of the project. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an S/W project program to prepare for after completion. Local governments need to utilize City and County Capacity Enhancement Projects to support regional leaders to participate in educational programs after completion and provide guidance and supervision for village operations.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.10 no.10
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• pp.25-33
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• 2012

Purpose - The Garak agricultural wholesale market ('Garak Market') plays a central role in the distribution of agricultural products in Korea and is important in connecting consumers with producers. However, problems regarding inefficiencies and the high-cost structure of the wholesale market's distribution/logistical system are being raised in relation to severe competition among retailers. Furthermore, the service needs of retailers and market users are not being fulfilled due to the inconsistency of the wholesale market's functions and facilities, thus reducing the competitiveness of the market. In this regard, innovative changes are being requested of the agricultural wholesale market according to changes in the agricultural product distribution environment. In particular, the lack of unloading facilities and the outdated unloading system of the wholesale market must be improved to enhance system efficiency. Research design, data, and methodology - This study observed the problems of the unloading system of the agricultural wholesale market in order to present relevant measures for improvement. The need for unloading auctions was also researched in this study. The survey of 70 forwarders belonging to the producing district distributor association of the Garak market was conducted by post. Additionally, 20 auction dealers and 59 shippers and transporters were individually interviewed. The survey on the need for unloading auctions used five-point Likert Scales. The statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS WIN 12.0 software. Results - First, the wholesale market must employ members of the unloading labor union to allow these employees to directly manage the unloading process. Second, it is crucial to revise regulations to ensure that the principal agent pays the unloading cost according to the standard unloading cost system. Third, the vehicle auction carried out for certain vegetable products must be converted to the unloaded auction system. According to the related interviews with the wholesale market's distribution agents, whereas shippers and transporters recognized the need for unloaded auctions, auction dealers tend to have a negative view of this system. Furthermore, the stated reasons in favor of unloaded cabbage, radish, and other vegetable auctions were prevention of constraint, creation of transparent trade conditions, and reduction of corrected seller tickets. Many of the respondents answered that the transport cost reduction rate in unloaded auctions must be below 20%. Fourth, the unloading system must be mechanized and a detailed, reasonable plan must be provided to settle the existing conflict with the unloading labor union. Conclusions - The proposals in this study are expected to play an important role in improving the cargo handling system of the wholesale agricultural product market in the future. Improving the system is expected to help shore up the competitiveness of the industry. If all the related bodies closely cooperate with each other and work harder, taking advantage of the synergies created by the facility modernization project, the Garak market will play a pivotal role in the distribution of agricultural products.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.225-238
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• 2020

The agricultural landscape is considered an important space to provide service functions, but the reality is that environmental and ecological problems are being reported in the creation of a facility horticulture complex. Therefore, this study was conducted to contribute to sustainable agriculture by creating a more eco-friendly facility horticultural complex. The elements of planning for eco-friendly development of the facility horticultural complex were derived from literature and expert surveys. The master plan and the bird's-eye view were then applied to the Saemangeum area by applying the planning elements. After analyzing the method of selecting and deploying input elements for improving functions, it was suggested that low-flow areas, wetlands, artificial storage facilities, green spaces, and waterways should be placed in harmony with the landscape and that the building-to-land ratio should be applied at 55%. The final design was prepared by applying the ecological service function improvement plan proposed by experts. The final bird's-eye view also reflected water purification facilities, connection of wetlands to waterways, packing of pitchers, and connection of green areas. The results of the research are expected to be used as basic data for policy and budget allocation for the eco-friendly creation of horticulture facilities and contribute to sustainable agriculture by contributing to national biodiversity and environmental preservation.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.224-235
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• 2019

The increase in the amount of energy used in the agricultural sector due to the expansion of agricultural machinery and greenhouse horticulture has caused a range of problems, such as an increase in the cost of input, such as heating costs and greenhouse gas emission. To overcome these problems, this study examined the current status of energy use in greenhouse horticulture as well as the change patterns of non-taxable oil and agricultural electricity, and reviewed the current status of the supply of renewable energy and energy saving facilities for agriculture. This study investigated the area of advanced and renewable energy and energy saving facilities implemented, applied the energy saving ratio of advanced and renewable energy and energy saving facilities, and determined the effects of renewable energy in the agricultural sector, such as increase in production, decrease in heating cost, reduction in Government financial expenditure, reduction in greenhouse gas emission, and oil substitution effect.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.672-679
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• 2014

We studied an activation plan for utilizing eco-friendly agricultural products from agricultural producers' perspective through delphi techniques. Certification types of eco-friendly agricultural products held by producers were low-pesticide 26.1%, no-pesticide 39.1% and organic 52.2%. The major problems in handling the eco-friendly agricultural products were as follows: 'consumer distrust', 'lack of reliable and continuous shipping quantity' and 'lack of storage facilities, such as cold storage'. The major benefits of direct transactions between producers of eco-friendly agricultural products and processed food manufacturers including HMR processing companies were 'obtaining fresh food ingredients for processing' and 'confidence-building and income stabilization'. Regarding requirements for cooperation of eco-friendly agricultural producers and processed food manufacturers including HMR processing companies, the most common answers was 'multi-year contract based on trust'. When asked about governmental support for efficient cooperation between eco-friendly agricultural producers and processed food manufacturers including HMR processing companies, the most common answer was 'supporting plan for small producers' and 'arrangement for appropriate potential consumers'.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.115-125
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• 2014

Rural villages have many problems such as the collapse of rural village communities with continued over-depopulation and aging, reduced functions of towns and villages, deteriorated services with changes in the structure of settlement class and decreased use of the facilities. they also have difficulties in maintenance in spite of the increase of the roles of rural village community facilities. Various plans for the utilization of community facilities to promote the vitality of rural villages and the revitalization of communities have been needed. Thus, this study aimed to offer basic data to seek for future plans to utilize community facilities and reconstruct communities through an analysis of the current uses of energy and community facilities in rural villages. The results indicated that the consumption of petroleum was highest in mountain villages at an average of 187,475 won/month($137{\ell}$), followed by fishing villages at an average of 144,142 won/month($104{\ell}$) and rural villages at an average of 126,070 won/month($93{\ell}$). The rate of utilization of community facilities was reversely highest in rural villages at 84.3%, followed by fishing villages at 61.1% and mountain villages at 40.7%. This research also found that households saved energy when they used community facilities and areas with a high rate of utilization of community facilities at a lower average temperature in winter. It saved approximately 33% energy compared to other areas. Finally, efficient and economical methods for community facilities in villages to be newly developed and the remodeling of existing facilities should been needed in the future to contribute to reconstructing rural village communities that face a crisis of maintenance or abolition.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.385-390
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• 2000

The heat pump is one of heating and cooling systems driven by electricity using natural energy as a heat source. The heat pump system was mainly adopted to a cooling system or a refrigeration system. In regions with a large amount of electricity, it is used as a heating system or a heating and cooling system of houses, buildings and agricultural facilities. During cold weather, air source heat pumps do not work well because of some technical problems, such as frosting on evaporator coil when outside air temperature is below -5$^{\circ}C$. In this research, the heat regenerative technology was employed to eliminate the frosting on evaporator coil and improve the COP of the heat pump system. This fiber belt heat regeneration system(FBHRS) has very simple structure consisting of a geared motor and a porous fiber belt passing through alternatively between cold and warm air duct. The laboratory test showed that the heat pump system with a FBHRS yielded an impressive COP higher than 3.5 at the outside air temperature of -7$^{\circ}C$ in heating mode.