This research aimed to investigate heterogeneity regarding governance, agricultural productivity, and food security between developed and developing nations. Utilizing a three-stage least squares (3SLS) simultaneous equation model, this study found that governance could positively impact food security through capital accumulation and agricultural productivity in both developed and developing countries. However, the magnitude of these effects differed significantly between country groups, with developed countries showing stronger governance-food security linkages than developing countries. This study reaffirms the importance of governance while showcasing its potential to vary based on a country’s economic level. Additionally, it sheds comprehensive light on impacts of agricultural production and agricultural capital accumulation on food security.
This study analyzed the impact of agricultural ODA on agricultural productivity in recipient countries. Specifically, it categorized agricultural ODA by donor global and Korea and evaluated agricultural productivity in recipient countries in terms of agricultural total factor productivity, agricultural land productivity, and agricultural labor productivity. Results indicated that agricultural ODA contributed to improvements in recipient countries’ agricultural productivity with a certain time lag. In particular, the effect of agricultural ODA on labor productivity appeared relatively immediate, while its impact on land productivity gradually became evident over time. Although global agricultural ODA showed a greater contribution to enhancing agricultural productivity in recipient countries than K orea’s a gricultural ODA, K orea’s O DA w as a lso found to b e effective in improving productivity. These results suggest that consistent funding is necessary as agricultural ODA affects productivity in recipient countries over time.
A survey was carried out in Paraguay to investigate the prevalence and distribution of sweet potato virus diseases. Two DNA viruses, Sweet potato pakakuy virus (SPPV) and Sweet potato symptomless virus (SPSMV), and three RNA viruses, Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), Sweet potato virus G (SPVG), and Sweet potato virus C (SPVC), were detected. They were cloned and sequenced. Sequences were deposited in GenBank of the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Of 53 samples from which viruses were detected, SPVG was detected in 29, representing 57.6% of virus-detected samples. The second most common virus was SPFMV. It was detected in 23 samples. This is the first report of a sweet potato virus disease outbreak in Paraguay confirmed through viral sequence analysis.
Peppers belong to the Solanaceae family and are highly valued worldwide for their flavor, nutritional content, and economic benefits. They contain various antioxidant compounds and vitamins associated with numerous health advantages, such as boosting metabolism and reducing inflammation. In addition, peppers are an important agricultural crop, contributing significantly to income along their value chain and serving as an indispensable ingredient in many dishes. However, domestic pepper production has steadily declined, mainly due to increased production costs. Peppers require a significant amount of labor during the harvest season, leading to high labor expenses. As a result, mechanized harvesting is emerging as a potential solution to address this issue. Research on mechanical harvesting of peppers has focused on developing harvesting machines, breeding suitable varieties, and exploring innovative cultivation methods appropriate for mechanization. Although similar research has been conducted in Korea, significant results have yet to be achieved. This review summarizes cases of mechanical pepper harvesting and outlines the traits and cultivation methods required for its effective implementation. For successful mechanical harvesting, the ideal cultivar should be suitable for once-over harvesting, with characteristics such as simultaneous and uniform ripening, low plant height, narrow branching angles, resistance to lodging, and ease of pedicel detachment from the stem. Moreover, fundamental research is essential for developing cultivation methods that do not rely on stacking and for determining optimal planting distances.
The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) is a financial disclosure initiative dedicated to the protection of natural capital. It examines corporate activities related to natural capital through four key pillars: governance, strategy, risk and impact management, and metrics and targets. However, in the forestry sector, research analyzing the current state of natural capital and proposing corresponding strategies remains limited. Thus, this study explores potential applications by analyzing domestic and international corporate case studies and adoption criteria in the forestry field, using the official TNFD platform. The results indicate that a proactive response to international standards and domestic policy changes related to TNFD could play a decisive role in enabling forestry-related companies and institutions to secure global competitiveness.
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, REDD+ is a representative nature- based c limate s olution. The i nternational c ommunity r ecognizes that the RED D+ program is the most cost-effective way to mitigate climate change. Furthermore, REDD+ can achieve the net zero target. Private corporations aiming to achieve the net zero target pay attention to REDD+ projects. The objective of this study was to analyze the use of the REDD+ mechanism as one of key strategies for private corporations to achieve the net zero target and to propose new strategies for corporations to realize the net zero target. By participating in the REDD+ project, private corporations can create social benefits such as carbon emission reduction and conservation of biodiversity. By fulfilling their social responsibility in efforts to address the climate crisis, individual corporations can generate additional revenue by selling verified carbon credits in the voluntary carbon market. However, the fact that the project is carried out over a long period and must comply with stringent implementation rules can act as a barrier to participate in REDD+ projects. Investment in the climate sector has been steadily increasing in recent ESG trend. Related technology development and improved transparency in the carbon market are being achieved, which may operate as an incentive for private corporations to take the REDD+ project into account for their strategies to achieve the net zero target.