Carbon footprint of maize planting under intensive subsistence cultivation in South Korea

• Published in: International journal of climate change strategies and management Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 301 - 321
• Main Authors: Li, Zhirun, Yang, Yinsheng, So, Namho, Lee, Jong-In
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bingley Emerald Publishing Limited 19.04.2023; Emerald Group Publishing Limited; Emerald Publishing
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Agricultural products; Agrochemicals; Carbon; Carbon footprint; Climate change; Corn; Crop production; Crop yield; Crops; Cultivation; Development administration; Emission measurements; Emissions; Emissions control; Environmental impact; Farm buildings; Farmers; Farms; Fertilizers; Food; Footprint analysis; Greenhouse effect; Greenhouse gas emissions; Greenhouse gases; Households; Intensive subsistence cultivation; Life cycle analysis; Life cycle assessment; Maize planting; Manures; Methods; Organic fertilizers; Planting; Policy making; Production; Rural areas; Rural development; Sustainability; Sustainable agriculture; Sustainable development; South Korea; Life cycle assessment; Greenhouse gas emissions; Maize planting; Sustainable development; Intensive subsistence cultivation; Carbon footprint
• ISSN: 1756-8692; 1756-8692; 1756-8706
• DOI: 10.1108/IJCCSM-12-2021-0141

Purpose During the planting process, agricultural products produce large amounts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This has placed tremendous pressure on sustainable global development. Many countries and regions in the world have adopted intensive subsistence cultivation methods when planting maize; however, limited studies exist on these methods. The main purpose of this research is to show the impact of climate change on maize yields and carbon footprint (CF) in South Korea over 10 years, find the proper operating method and promote the advanced combination of inputs for the sustainable development of maize farmers. Design/methodology/approach This study used survey data from the South Korea Rural Development Administration of 2010, 2014 and 2019 to estimate the CF of maize planting under intensive subsistence cultivation. Life-cycle assessment was used to determine the CF. Farmers were grouped according to significant differences in yield and GHG emissions. Linear regression was used to measure the dependence of the main contributors on the CF production and carbon efficiency. Findings In South Korean maize planting, N in chemical fertiliser was the most significant contributor to the CF and organic fertiliser was the most significant input. The use of chemical and organic fertilisers significantly affects the production of the CF and carbon efficiency. Households in the high-yield and low-GHG emission groups are more sustainable because they generate the least GHG when producing and earning through maize cultivation. Globally, maize production in South Korea has a relatively low CF and maize production produces fewer GHG. Originality/value This study provides information for policymakers to determine key operational options for reducing GHG emissions using intensive subsistence cultivation of maize production in South Korea and other countries.