Journal of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers publishes peer-reviewed research articles in engineering to help better understand and thus solve problems in agriculture, environment, food and other biological systems. Journal of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers presents cutting-edge research on a broad range of topics including irrigation and drainage, soil and water conservation, rural planning and development, agricultural structure & environmental control, rural environment & natural resources management, and more.
Water circulation in irrigated areas is influenced by a range of factors, including climate change, environmental changes within watersheds, and socio-economic conditions. It involves complex interactions among hydrological components such as precipitation, runoff, evapotranspiration, water supply, water demand, and return flow. For effective integrated water management at the watershed scale, it is essential to modularize these simulation components as independent entities, allowing for comprehensive analysis of rural hydrological systems. Accurate analysis of irrigation water circulation requires the interpretation and modeling of key components within the irrigation water system. This study proposes a modeling approach using the Environmental Protection Agency’s Storm Water Management Model (EPA-SWMM) to estimate and simulate various irrigation water components, including water use, demand, drainage, and return flow. Additionally, irrigation water supply simulations were conducted under three different water management scenarios. The study focuses on Yongdang Reservoir, located in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea. Simulations were performed for the irrigation period from May to September, 2024. The results were analyzed with respect to water use, demand, drainage, return flow, and water shortages, and irrigation water circulation was evaluated through volumetric calculations. The findings contribute to the development of a baseline modeling framework for analyzing irrigation water circulation, incorporating water supply system dynamics. These results are expected to provide valuable insights for securing a stable irrigation water supply and guiding future water management policies.
Priority Evaluation of Methane Reduction Strategies in Rice Paddies Using the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Method (AHP)
류우한 Ryu Woo-han , 이슬기 Lee Seul-gi , 이채영 Lee Chae-young
This study aims to identify and prioritize technological, policy, and economic strategies to reduce methane (CH₄) emissions from rice cultivation, a major source of agricultural greenhouse gases. Nine mitigation alternatives were categorized into three support types―technological, policy, and economic―and evaluated based on four criteria: technical effectiveness, economic feasibility, environmental sustainability, and social acceptability. A three-level Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework was employed to conduct a quantitative analysis. Surveys were administered to 40 experts, and 31 responses with a consistency ratio (CR) below 0.1 were analyzed. The research group prioritized technical effectiveness, ranking Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) highest, while the policy group emphasized institutional feasibility and farmer acceptance, favoring direct payments and low-methane certification. In the integrated analysis, carbon credit systems (0.139), direct payments (0.135), and AWD (0.133) were ranked highest, suggesting a preference for institutional and economic supports over purely technical solutions.
Unlike previous studies that have focused mainly on the effectiveness of individual technologies, this research fills a critical gap by integrating technological, policy, and economic strategies into a unified AHP-based evaluation framework. This holistic approach provides more actionable insights for decision-makers seeking balanced and realistic mitigation strategies. Overall, the proposed framework offers a practical tool for advancing carbon neutrality in agriculture through multi-dimensional policy planning.
Comparison of Irrigation Systems and Agricultural Earthen Canal Standards between South and North Korea
이승주 Lee Seungjoo , 김용성 Kim Yongseong , 고경택 Koh Kyungtaek , 김영석 Kim Youngseok
The Korean Peninsula faces significant seasonal and regional variations in precipitation, and the irregularity of rainfall due to climate change poses a growing challenge for water management in both South and North Korea. In response, the two countries have developed distinct irrigation approaches shaped by differing institutional and technical conditions. This study provides a comparative analysis of irrigation systems, earthen canal structures, and operational frameworks in both Koreas, focusing on differences in canal design standards, slope ratios, and lining methods. South Korea utilizes standardized guidelines, concrete-lined canals, and slope stability analysis, while North Korea relies on gravity-flow earthen canals adapted to topography and limited resources. Key findings highlight differences in cross-sectional design criteria, canal shapes, and lining materials such as mud, concrete, and synthetics. North Korea emphasizes simple excavation and embankment techniques, whereas South Korea applies systematic earthwork planning and long-term maintenance strategies. This study offers insights for future inter-Korean cooperation by identifying complementary design principles and water management strategies. The results may support joint policy development and the construction of efficient, sustainable irrigation infrastructure across the Korean Peninsula.
Impact of Agricultural Activities on Air Pollutant Concentrations in Rural Areas
오병욱 Oh Byungwook , 서일환 Seo Ilhwan , 김진호 Kim Jinho , 홍성창 Hong Sungchang , 김민욱 Kim Minwook , 주흥수 Joo Hungsoo , 김기연 Kim Kiyeon
This study examined the impact of agricultural activities on air quality in rural areas by monitoring air pollutant concentrations in different types of farmland, including paddy fields and upland areas. Real-time air quality monitoring stations were installed at eight rural sites to continuously measure concentrations of particulate matter (PM-10, PM-2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SO2), and ammonia (NH3). The results revealed that air pollutant levels increased significantly during periods of active farming. For example, PM-10 and PM-2.5 concentrations were 2.3 and 1.5 times higher, respectively, compared to non-farming periods. Likewise, NOx and NH3 concentrations rose substantially during agricultural operations. These increases are attributable to mechanical activities such as tilling and harvesting, as well as chemical applications including the use of fertilizers and pesticides. The findings highlight the necessity of developing differentiated air quality management strategies that reflect the specific characteristics of agricultural practices.
Estimation of a Meso-scale Stream Habitat Suitability Using Fuzzy Logic Based HMU Clusters
차준헌 Cha Junheon , 박진석 Park Jinseok , 장성주 Jang Seongju , 이혁진 Lee Hyeokjin , 고재준 Gou Jaejun , 송인홍 Song Inhong
The need for precise methodologies to assess the health of river ecosystems has grown, leading to the development of Meso-scale habitat evaluation as an important approach. The objectives of this study were to improve fuzzy logic for a Hydromorphological Unit (HMU) classification method considering multiple physical habitat variables, and to analyze meso-scale stream habitat suitability under varying streamflow conditions using the developed Fuzzy logic. The study was conducted on the Bokha River, where a HEC-RAS 2D model was used to simulate depth and velocity, and habitat suitability indices were derived based on fuzzy logic using depth and velocity data from simulations. A modified Fuzzy Logic algorithm was employed to flexibly and precisely account for the interactions between hydrological characteristics and environmental variables in Meso-scale habitat evaluation. The Fuzzy Logic-based Meso-scale river habitat evaluation model successfully distinguished habitat types based on velocity and depth data and visualized habitat changes under different flow conditions. The evaluation using the Centroid method highlighted the potential to integrate ecological factors and physical environmental conditions into habitat assessment, offering practical insights for river ecosystem restoration and management. This study is expected to contribute foundational data for future river ecosystem management and restoration efforts.
A Study to Determine Soil Erodibility Factor in Nationwide Soil Erosion Estimation
박종윤 Park Jong-yoon , 신용철 Shin Yongchul , 박윤식 Park Youn Shik
Soil erosion is a phenomenon that causes the loss of fertile soil in agricultural land and the decrease in the stability of social infrastructures, threatening the sustainability of land and ecosystems. Thus, there is a need to prevent soil erosion, Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is often used to estimate soil erosion as a fundamental process in soil erosion management. USLE has five factors, the soil erodibility factor (USLE K) is to represent soil property against rainfall condition causing soil erosion. In South Korea, the Ministry of Environment regulates soil erosion with the Public Notice on the Current Topsoil Erosion that is based on USLE, however the USLE K provided in the public notice needs to be updated since the soil category doesn’t correspond to the current soil map. Therefore, several USLE K equations were investigated, and USLE K values were evaluated and compared to define acceptable approachfor USLE K updates in the public notice. A specific method was suggested to update the USLE K, and it is expected that USLE K can be employed for the public notice in current status. Moreover, USLE K values can be updated with soil property updates in the future if the equation and approach are applied.
Comparative Analysis of an Optimal Path Planning Algorithm for Agricultural Multicopter Drones in Smart Pest Control Missions
안치용 An Chi-yong , 김설민 Kim Seolmin , 송석호 Song Seokho , 박진기 Park Jinki , 송철민 Song Chulmin
In this study, a drone-based optimal path simulator was developed to evaluate four path finding algorithms―Dijkstra, A*, D* Lite, and Christofides―for agricultural pest control missions. The simulator was tested under two spatial distribution conditions (scattered and clustered) with varying numbers of target points (50, 100, and 150). Each algorithm was assessed using four performance metrics: energy consumption, total travel distance, simulation time, and path computation time. A weighted scoring system was applied to derive a comprehensive performance score. The simulation results showed that the Christofides algorithm consistently outperformed other algorithms in large-scale and complex environments, achieving perfect scores in scenarios with 100 and 150 target points, regardless of distribution type. The A* algorithm exhibited balanced and effective performance in small-scale or clustered environments, particularly with 50 target points, and maintained moderate performance at medium scale.
These findings highlight the importance of algorithm selection based on both spatial distribution and problem scale. The Christofides algorithm is recommended for large-scale optimization tasks, while A* is suitable for small-scale or dense environments.
Analysis of Water Supply Improvement Effects for a Test-Bed through Securing Alternative Irrigation Water from Rainfall-Runoff
김시호 Kim Siho , 장민원 Jang Min-won , 최지은 Choi Jieun , 이정은 Lee Jeongeun , 김영진 Kim Youngjin , 황세운 Hwang Syewoon
This study quantitatively evaluates the effectiveness of a temporary storage-based alternative agricultural water supply system utilizing rainfall-runoff in improving water use security in a water-stressed upland farming area in Hapcheon-gun, Republic of Korea. A water security assessment model was developed to reflect actual field conditions, system configurations, and crop cultivation characteristics, simulating daily soil moisture, water demand, irrigation volume, and deficit. Four water security indicators―Water Utilization Safety (WUS), Water Supply Reliability (WSR), Water Supply Sustainability (WSS), and Water Supply Adequacy (WSA)―were applied to assess changes before and after system implementation.
Results showed that the system increased average soil moisture by 7-11% and reduced the number of days below the growth inhibition point by 10-14 days. Irrigation deficits decreased by 16-18 m³/year, and the system secured an additional 486.1 m³/year of water on average. Correlation and regression analyses revealed that variables such as rainfall frequency and storage tank saturation days had more influence on additional water supply than total rainfall amount, indicating that rainfall pattern, rather than volume, critically affects water availability. The study highlights the necessity of considering rainfall frequency, intensity, and storage efficiency in system design. These findings provide a scientific basis for tailoring system configurations to regional climatic and hydrological conditions and offer policy insights for expanding the application of alternative water systems in upland agriculture.
