Assessing the Limits of Agricultural Situation for the Food Security in North Korea

Abstract

The food situation in North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK) has been in difficulty situation because of a shortage of energy, and of raw materials such as fertilizer and agricultural chemicals. The international agricultural aid programs can alleviate some difficulties in the agricultural areas, but the policies and measures in North Korea can not help difficulties in the agriculture due to the institutional obstacles enforced by DPRK. The arable area of DPRK is approximately 20,000 km² , of which 14,000 km² is well for cereal cultivation. Fertilizer supplies in recent years between 700,000 and 750,000 tons annually were less than 50% of the normal requirement. Also, North Korea strongly needed to inject phosphorus fertilizer and lime to increase the fertility. Soil degradation in DPRK was characterized by physical and chemical changes caused by rapid loss of clay particles and organic matter. Intensive ploughing and tilling to grow crops may lead to massive soil degradation and declining yields. Although farmers in the DPRK have faced numerous challenges, not least of which are soil erosion, scarce inputs and extreme weather like drought, flooding and cold spells. Therefore farmers should be encouraged to adopt more environmentally sound cropping practices, to access quality seeds and planting materials and to reduce losses after the harvest.