This study aimed to determine the optimal method by analyzing how different fining agents affect the quality of Muscat of Alexandria (MoA) wine. In the initial investigation, MoA wine underwent treatment with bentonite, egg white, icing glass, polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), silica, and gelatin. General quality characteristics (pH, total acidity, sugar content, specific gravity, alcohol, volatile acidity), functional components (total polyphenols, antioxidant activity, tannins), and L*, a*, b* values were analyzed. Following the analysis, bentonite demonstrated the best color improvement, while silica and gelatin exhibited high total acidity and effective color enhancement. Consequently, bentonite, gelatin, and silica were deemed suitable for MoA wine and were selected for further investigation. In the second clarification test, varied experiments were conducted on bentonite, silica, and gelatin selected in the first clarification test. Analysis of general quality characteristics and functionality by fining type and time after treatment for MoA wine showed no significant changes before and after treatment. However, an analysis of turbidity after 8 months for each fining agent revealed a superior turbidity improvement effect of 0.040 ± 0.001 in the bentonite treatment group. Additionally, the L value was favorable in the bentonite and silica treatments. Regarding the improvement effect of the b value, silica treatment demonstrated the best results, followed by gelatin treatment.
This study investigated rice production status, rice consumption characteristics, and rice import and export trends in sub-Saharan Africa for researchers and policy makers on rice production in Africa and to suggest key strategy to improve rice self-sufficiency in Africa. In recent years, sub-Saharan Africa has seen an increasing number of food security conflicts because of climate change. The ultimate solution is to increase their food productivity and self-sufficiency in their countries. Rice is very important for poverty reduction in Africa because of its availability and affordability, making it accessible to the poor in Africa as a staple food. The total area of rice production in sub-Saharan Africa has nearly doubled from 7 million ha in 2000 to 13 million ha in 2020, and rice demand is also on the rise. However, the climate change and extreme weather events have led to greater variability in rice productivity, and international rice prices have increased continuously, making it increasingly difficult to improve Africa's rice self-sufficiency. In order to increase rice production and improve self-sufficiency in Africa, there are many challenges, such as irrigation facilities, improving soil quality, and supplying pesticides and fertilizers, but the most important is to develop and disseminate new rice varieties suitable for the African region. This will require not only breeding appropriate varieties for Africa's climate and soil, but also selecting proper varieties that meet the preferences of Africans. Additionally, an infrastructure system from production, cultivation, harvesting and storage to processing for the appropriate rice varieties should be aligned at the same time.
As part of the KOPIA Paraguay Center rice pilot villages project, conducted from July 1, 2021, to the end of June 2024, this study examined the average yield and value of paddy rice harvested between January and April 2023 in five local rice pilot villages in Paraguay: Santa Rosa, Eusebio Ayala, Coronel Bogado, Santa Maria, and Yaguaron. The CEA-5K-PUNTA variety was planted in late August 2022 and subsequently harvested from January to April 2023. The farmers in the pilot villages received information on common pests, diseases, and weeds, including instructions on timing and the number of applications required for their control. They also received technical guidance on water management and weeding methods. The study found that the average yield per hectare in the pilot villages for the CEA-5K PUNTA variety in the 2022/2023 growing season was 794.50 kg/10a, compared to 477.17 kg/10a for the conventional variety IRGA 424 in the 2019/2020 season, which preceded the project. This indicates a 66.5% increase in yield per hectare for the pilot village farmers compared to the pre-project period (2020/2021). The analysis of paddy rice production value in the pilot villages, using the Difference in Differences method, revealed a 65.1% increase. Moreover, a financial analysis was conducted based on the addition of agricultural inputs to the paddy fields during the period from the end of August 2022 to January-April 2023. The analysis showed that the total cost was US$597.25 per hectare, while the gross income was US$1,685.3 per hectare. As a result, the net profit per hectare amounted to US$1,088.05.
The Korean government has been implementing international development cooperation projects on smart greenhouse for high-valued crops through the Agency of Education, Promotion, and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (EPIS). These projects have been carried out in four Asian countries – the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia – since 2020. The main objectives of these projects are to enhance agricultural productivity, provide innovative capacity building, and establish effective marketing systems in collaboration with recipient organizations in each country. By focusing on medium- and small-scale farmers who are susceptible to climate shocks, these projects have successfully increased crop yields and the average income of farm households that have adopted advanced greenhouse facilities. This has been achieved through improved planting and marketing strategies for high-valued crops. In summary, these projects are playing a crucial role in the modernization of agriculture through the Vulnerable-Smart Agriculture (VSA) scheme, while also collecting policy data to effectively address climate change vulnerabilities. This is being done through a tripartite mechanism involving research, extension activities, and education, all aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural growth in developing countries.