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FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SUPPLY ASSESSMENT MISSION TO THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA - 3 June 1997

Year of publication 1997

Author Trade and Markets Division

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Series title Special Reports and Alerts

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Devastating floods in both 1995 and 1996 dealt a serious blow to the country’s agriculture further constraining its ability to feed its population. The devastation came on top of several years of economic slowdown, which had already led to falling agricultural productivity and declining food production in Korea DPR. Given the limited commercial import capacity of the country, this has resulted in reduced food consumption, most dramatically in the last two years, with serious impact on the health of the population. Moreover, although widespread starvation has been largely avoided through the Public (Food) Distribution system (PDS), which has at least provided the barest minimum for survival, the system is now on the verge of collapse with no alternative mechanism available to provide food. In addition, various coping mechanisms, which were helpful in supplementing food intake over short periods, are now becoming increasingly strained and non-viable in ensuring minimum dietary needs. A g rave food security situation is, therefore, developing in all parts of the country. In view of the rapidly deteriorating food situation, an FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission was fielded to Korea DPR from 17 to 24 May. The main objectives of the mission were to assess the prevailing food supply situation and review early prospects for 1997 food grain production. This mission followed an earlier FAO/WFP assessment last November and based its evaluation on discussions with Gover nment Ministries and Departments, UN, bilateral agencies and NGOs in the country and on field visits to randomly selected areas. These include locations in the counties of Kumchon, Pyongsan and Sunchon in South Hwanghae and South Pyongan provinces, in agriculturally important south/west parts of the country, and Tongsin and Songwon counties in the northern province of Chagang.

Language English

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    FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SUPPLY ASSESSMENT MISSION TO THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA - 11 September 1997 1997
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    Against the backdrop of two successive years of floods in 1995 and 1996, this summer brought not only devastating drought throughout the country, but also a destructive typhoon, which extensively damaged crops in coastal areas in the west. These catastrophic events will undoubtedly have serious and long reaching repercussions on the country’s already grave food supply situation. Guarded optimism, expressed earlier, for some recovery in food production this year, is now replaced by very serious a larm at food security prospects for the coming months and year ahead. Certainly, in the absence of remedial interventions the potential consequences of this year’s calamities are likely to far exceed the devastation of the last two years as the country’s agriculture, food supply and the health of its population have already been severely affected. To assess the potential ramifications of this year’s drought and typhoon on crop production and food supply, a joint FAO/WFP mission visited Korea DPR from 16 to 26 August. It based its evaluation on discussions with Government and UN agencies and extensive damage assessment visits to the main agricultural areas in the south-west and north-east of the country. These include some 15 counties in the provinces of north and south Hwanghae, south Pyongan, south Hamyong and Kangwon.
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    FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SUPPLY ASSESSMENT MISSION TO THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA - 29 June 1999 1999
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    The combination of natural disasters from 1995 to 1997, which crippled the agricultural sector, and deepening economic slowdown since the early 1990s which has eroded national capacity to import food, essential inputs and energy, have severely undermined food security in DPR Korea. Unfortunately, efforts by the country to redress the chronic food problems through meticulous planning and intensive management of agriculture have had limited long term benefits in view of the scale of the problem an d its root causes. Irrespective of the incredibly high level of emphasis and care that is given to food production nationally, food output this year, even under an optimistic weather scenario, will remain well below needs as productivity remains highly constrained by lack of land and sufficient fertiliser and energy for mechanisation and irrigation on which the sector depends heavily. In view of the scale and depth of the problem, and in order to help the country attain greater food security, bo th short and long term measures, with international support, continue to be required. In addition to ongoing emergency food assistance to meet immediate needs, it is imperative that international support be provided for recovery and rehabilitation in agriculture to ensure longer term food security.
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