This study conducts a comparative analysis on the difference in profitability between organically cultivated ginseng and conventionally cultivated ginseng, based on their cultivation characteristics, in order to promote the production and consumption of organic ginseng. The production quantity of organically cultivated ginseng per 10 a was 40% less than that of conventionally cultivated ginseng for both four- and six-year-old roots. In the case of four-year-old roots, although the production cost of organically cultivated ginseng was 60% higher than that of conventionally cultivated ginseng, the net profit was higher by 70%, owing to its higher selling price. In the case of six-year-old roots, the production cost of organically cultivated ginseng was 10% higher than that of conventionally cultivated ginseng, but the net profit was lower by 10%, owing to a low selling price. The reduction in production costs must be supported by a reduction in land lease and labor costs by expanding the cultivation area, a reduction of pest control costs through the self-production of environmentally friendly materials, and an improvement in the certification of perennial crops that can reduce certification costs. A reduction in production costs can lead to a decrease in consumer prices, which, in turn, would promote an increase in consumption among general consumers. Moreover, as a measure to increase the production yield per unit area, the soil nutrient content must be increased by selecting high-quality planned sites and implementing planned site management in order to increase the proportion of organic fertilizers. Furthermore, these must be supported by improved cultivation methods, which suppress early defoliation, and enhanced cultivation technology. In addition to these methods, establishing producer cooperatives in order to expand production can stabilize supply, which can increase sales through export and processing companies. Moreover, uniformity in product quality through producer cooperatives can contribute to building consumer confidence.

2007년에 도입된 인삼 임의자조금제도가 앞으로 범 인삼업 계가 참여하는 의무자조금제도로 전환될 예정이다. 인삼 의무 자조금의 성공적인 조성과 운용을 위해서는 자조금 거출액을 합리적인 수준으로 책정하고 인삼 농가들의 자발적인 참여를 유도하는 것이 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 이중양분선택형 조건 부가치평가법(CVM)을 이용하여 인삼 의무자조금에 대한 농 가의 지불의사액을 추정하였으며, 주요 결과 및 시사점은 다 음과 같다. 1. 인삼 의무자조금에 대한 농가 지불의사액(WTP)의 평균 값(Mean WTP)과 중앙값(Median WTP)은 각각 117.27원/kg 과 86.81원/kg으로 추정되었다. 따라서 인삼 대표자 그룹회의 에서 논의된 인삼 의무자조금 거출액인 100원/kg 수준이 무난 한 것으로 판단된다. 2. 인구통계학적 변수가 인삼 의무자조금 납부에 미치는 영 향을 검증한 결과 자조금에 대한 인지도가 높을수록, 그리고 교육수준이 높을수록 인삼 자조금을 납부할 확률이 높아지는 것으로 나타났다. 3. 기존에 인삼 임의자조금을 납부해온 농가일수록 의무자 조금을 납부할 확률이 낮아지는 것으로 나타났는데, 이러한 결 과는 인삼 자조금의 경제적 효과에 대한 회의적인 태도에서 비롯된다. 따라서 향후 인삼 의무자조금사업의 성공적인 안착 을 위해서는 인삼 농가들을 대상으로 자조금의 도입 취지, 필 요성, 경제적 효과 등에 대해 보다 확실히 인식시킴으로써 자 발적인 참여를 유도하는 것이 필요하다.