Long-Term Planning of Mechanization for the Livestock Farm Household's Forage Cultivation

축산농가(畜産農家)의 조사료(粗飼料) 생산작업(生産作業) 기계화(機械化) 방안(方案)에 관한 연구(硏究)

Since rural people migrated to urban area as a result of rapid industrialization in Korea, a significant proportion on agricultural labor farces has consistently reduced and therefore incurred labor shortage in rural area which might aggravate the farm household's economy. This sutdy suggests a long run plan of supplying agricultural machines for forage cultivation based on the survery of 102 livestock farm housecholds conducted in 1987, aimed at curtailing the labor costs which would contribute to improving the livestock farming management. The results of this study are as follows: 1. Among the 102 livestock farm household surveyed, 50 farm housecholds were found to cultivate 398a of grassland on average while other 52 farm households produced the forage on the 169a of land under cultivation averagely. 2. Over 50 percent of farm houseolds were reported to have their own agricultural machine for harvesting and cutting, however rates of mechanization in other operations such as mowing and sowing were less than 20 percent. 3. There were more than 50 percent of livestock farm households who have shown their intention to buy and operate their own farming machines when proprer opportunities are given. 4. In order to estimate the long-run demand for agricultural machines for livestock farm household considering current mechanization procedure, data for the machine's optimal capacty, growth of arable acreage for feed stuffs was collected and analyzed. 5. Based on the estimated demand, long range supply plan of livestock farming machines for the period of 1990-2010 was suggested. 6. Finally, measures for technological developement and finanacial support were suggested to implement so as to encourage the farmers' adoption of agricultural machines, and to achieve the goal of mechanization planning for the livestock farm household.