• Research Article

    Technical Efficiency and its Potential Determinants in Rice Farming: Evidence from Small-Scale Rice Farmers in Rwanda
    Godefroid Munyabugingo, Hio-Jung Shin
    Farm production and productivity can be increased by adding inputs or improving efficiency of producers. The latter can be done without increasing … + READ MORE
    Farm production and productivity can be increased by adding inputs or improving efficiency of producers. The latter can be done without increasing the amount of information. Here, using a questionnaire, data on harvested paddy rice (tons), farm size (ha), seeds sown (kg), number of household members able to work, money used in farming, dummy variable about the use of organic fertilizer (manure), and proper irrigation practice and application of pesticides, were collected from 120 rice farmers in the Nyamasheke district of Rwanda. This data was used to estimate the stochastic frontier production model. Data on farming experience (years), years of schooling, number of extensionist visits, dummy about rice being the main crop, being a beneficiary of agriculture non-governmental organization, and the use of certified seeds, was used to estimate the technical inefficiency model. The mean technical efficiency was 81.32 % with a minimum of 47.44 % and a maximum of 97.67 %, indicating that farmers are not yet efficient in producing rice, and that rice yield can be increased on average up to 18.68 % without increasing the level of current inputs. As the study revealed, the increase in production can be obtained from the efficient use of certified seeds and fair allocation of agricultural non-governmental organizations in the district. - COLLAPSE
    30 June 2023
  • Research Article

    Text Network Analysis of Young Farmers’ Key Words

    텍스트 네트워크 분석을 활용한 청년농업인 키워드 연구

    Kyeong-Heon Ryu, Jonghwa Kim

    류경헌, 김종화

    This study examined issues related to young farmers shared in the media through text network analysis. We conducted Term Frequency (TF) analysis, … + READ MORE
    This study examined issues related to young farmers shared in the media through text network analysis. We conducted Term Frequency (TF) analysis, network centrality analysis, and CONvergence of iteration CORrealtion (CONCOR) analysis by using news article data from ‘Naver’ and ‘Daum’, two representative portal sites in Korea. The TF analysis showed that the keywords with the highest frequency over the past five years were ‘support’ and ‘nurturing’. The analysis also confirmed that support and nurturing are consistently core topics in the early stages of the Young Farmers Policy. The frequency of the keyword ‘smart farm’ has also been increasing since 2018. Over time, the keyword in terms of the region has changed from provincial governments to local governments. That means that the social interests and issues related to young farmers have been changed from large to small areas. Keywords like ‘stability’, ‘settlement’, ‘future’, and ‘growth’ were highly centralized in terms of centrality analysis. It means that young farmers need the support of governments and stabilization of life to grow pivotal people in rural areas. In addition, the CONCOR analysis identified clusters of ‘support and nurture’, ‘growth and future’, ‘management training lease farms’, and ‘next generation of agricultural managers’. These clusters have significant meanings for growing young farmers. - COLLAPSE
    30 June 2023
  • Research Article

    Application of Heavy Metal(loid) Pollution Indices for Urban Park Soils in Gangwon Province

    강원도 도시공원 토양의 중금속 오염도 지수 평가

    Jung-Eun Lim, Myeong Chan Ahn, Wookhee Choi, In Gu Kim, Jung-Eun Lee, Heejoong Kim, Su Jeong Shin, Seonhong Kim, Yeon Jung Jung

    임정은, 안명찬, 최욱희, 김인구, 이정은, 김희중, 신수정, 김선홍, 정연정

    This study evaluated the heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) pollution level in soils from 75 urban parks located in Gangwon province by calculating indices … + READ MORE
    This study evaluated the heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) pollution level in soils from 75 urban parks located in Gangwon province by calculating indices of soil pollution, including single pollution index (PI), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), nemerow pollution index (PIne), and potential ecological risk (RI). The average concentration of each HM was 0.0–112.1% of the natural background concentration and 0.0–20.3% of the warning criteria of soil contamination. The overall HMs pollution level was considered very low, but Zn and Cu were relatively higher than others. Relatively high pollution levels of Zn and Cu may be associated with urban pollutants such as vehicles. Although the concentration of HMs is lower than the legal standard, the possibility of HMs accumulation in the soil by unknown sources still exists. Therefore, management, such as regular monitoring of heavy metal(loid)s in urban park soils, is needed to secure the health of living organisms, including humans. - COLLAPSE
    30 June 2023
  • Research Article

    Population Analysis of Fish Fauna and the Endangered Species Rhodeus pseudosericeus in Yudong and Jeon Streams

    유동천 및 전천의 어류상과 멸종위기종 II급 한강납줄개(Rhodeus pseudosericeus) 개체군 분석

    Beom Jun Kim, Jaehoon Kim, Hekap Kim, Seungchul Park, Kwangyeol Lee, Jaeseok Choi

    김범준, 김재훈, 김희갑, 박승철, 이광열, 최재석

    In this study, the fish fauna in the Yudong and Jeon streams were investigated three times from June to November 2020; the … + READ MORE
    In this study, the fish fauna in the Yudong and Jeon streams were investigated three times from June to November 2020; the habitat environment, length frequency distribution, length-weight relationships, and condition factors of the Rhodeus pseudosericeus population were analyzed to facilitate the preservation and protection of the upper Seom River population. The habitat of R. pseudosericeus was mainly found to be a fourth or fifth stream with a high ratio of gravel, sand, or pearl. In total, 3,200 individuals from 28 species in nine families were collected from the Yudong stream. As legally protected species, two endangered species, Acheilognathus signalifer and R. pseudosericeus were found along with 14 Korean endemic species. The number of endangered species, R. pseudosericeus was 4.94% based on the relative abundance, of which was quadrupled compared to 1.33% in the previous year. A total of 1,415 individuals from 21 species belonging to six families were collected from the Yudong Stream. As legally protected species, one endangered species, R. pseudosericeus was found along with nine Korean endemic species. The relative abundance of R. pseudosericeus was 10.74%. The length–weight relationships and condition factor (K) of R. pseudosericeus in the Yudong and Jeon Streams indicated that both rivers were in good conditions. Based on the total length distribution, the Jeon stream showed a stable population with individuals born in the same year (0+), 1+, and 2+ years. However, the Yudong Stream showed an unstable population owing to the emergence of individuals at 0+ and 1+ years; therefore, continuous monitoring was considered necessary. Overall, unless a special event occurs, a stable population is expected to form as soon as possible in these streams; this studyed thus this provides basic data for the restoration and preservation of endangered species in the future. - COLLAPSE
    30 June 2023
  • Research Article

    Analysis of Consumer Awareness, Purchase Experience, and Purchase Intention Factors of Functional Foods
    Sun-Hyung Min, Sang Hyeon Lee
    This study analyzed Korean consumers’ behavior towards functional foods, focusing on recognition, purchase experience, and intention. We discovered that consumers that were … + READ MORE
    This study analyzed Korean consumers’ behavior towards functional foods, focusing on recognition, purchase experience, and intention. We discovered that consumers that were health-conscious, higher-income, and those anxious about COVID-19 were more likely to recognize and buy functional foods. We observed that positive correlation existed between recognition and purchase experience, and it was stronger in health-concerned consumers and those with ill family members. Age influenced consumers’ preferences, i.e., younger consumers favored vitamins and fermented products whereas older consumers preferred ginseng-based foods. Positive purchasing experiences and marketing strategies, such as product sampling, were found to be crucial in boosting purchase intentions. Bulk purchases and personalized subscriptions were trending among consumers in their 30s. Our study shows the importance of gaining and maintaining consumer trust for sustained market growth. - COLLAPSE
    30 June 2023
  • Research Article

    Predicting Vegetable Yields using Weather Forecast Accuracy: The Case of Garlic and Onion Yields
    Jeong Hun Ji, Hyun Ju Park, Sang Hyeon Lee
    This study analyzed whether weather forecast accuracy indices such as precipitation accuracy and hit rate, which are potentially related to agriculture production, … + READ MORE
    This study analyzed whether weather forecast accuracy indices such as precipitation accuracy and hit rate, which are potentially related to agriculture production, can be used as more effective proxies for technological progress. The results have shown that the forecasting accuracy of precipitation, in the form of the product of total rain and accuracy rate, could be used to predict the yield of seasoning vegetables by replacing the time trend variable. Using the accuracy variables as a proxy for technological development factors should be considered when forecasting onion and garlic yields. It may potentially be substituted for the time trend variable to gain greater predicting power. - COLLAPSE
    30 June 2023