Status and revitalization plans of the mulberry (Morus alba) industry for forest incomes

This study was carried out to improve the forest income for the long-term revitalization of the mulberry (Morus alba) industry in Buan-gun, Korea by providing improvement plans after gathering the general characteristics of production farms, awareness, distribution status, and marketing. The questionnaire survey was conducted from October to December 2010 through direct interviews with 59 farms that produce mulberries. The general characteristics of the farms and farm workers were gathered by the contents of the survey, such as gender, age, planted area, cultivation career, farming form, status of joining the producers' group, main human resource, and securing labor. Also, the improvement plans for the long-term revitalization of the mulberry industry were considered through the contents of the survey, such as awareness of production farms, distribution status, and marketing. It was found that stable selling distribution networks, support for mulberry production, and local government strategies would be needed for the long-term revitalization of the mulberry industry in Buan-gun, Korea. Most of the production farms were suffering from an unstable market (59.3%). The cost for production was recognized as the biggest support demand (52.5%). The most serious problem in sales was the lack of sales facilities (49.2%), and the highest proportion of sales was through the local agricultural cooperative or direct dealing (35.6%). Promotion strategies should be established by local governments. In particular, the long-term revitalization of the mulberry industry should be considered by setting up marketing strategies for stable production, increasing output, and enhancing brand image.