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FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SUPPLY ASSESSMENT MISSION TO THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA - 25 November 1997









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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 - 3 June 1997 1997
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    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.
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    FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SUPPLY ASSESSMENT MISSION TO THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA - 8 November 1999 1999
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    Compared to 1995,1996 and 1997, when floods and drought caused extensive damage to food production, 1998 and 1999 saw relative stability. However, production trends during these years, indicate that DPR Korea has entered an era of relatively low input low output agriculture. Even in the absence of major natural hazards, therefore, domestic food production will remain well below minimum needs due to serious lack of investment and essential inputs into agriculture. Despite substantial improvement in 1999, fertilizer availability remains well below requirements. Fuel and energy for critical mechanised operations are in very short supply, whilst large numbers of tractors and machines are inoperable due to lack of spare parts and replacement. These, in turn, are due to serious economic contraction and critical shortage of foreign exchange for necessary purchases of inputs and food. Shortage of capital has resulted in severely reduced land and labour productivity, whilst more and more operat ions are becoming labour intensive. Overall, therefore, under prevailing constraints, the country has serious problems of maintaining agricultural production and food supply.

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