KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF* (10 October)
Harvesting of main season crops (rice, maize, millet, sorghum, and sweet potatoes) is underway and will be complete in the middle of October. The other agricultural activities currently include preparing for the planting of winter crops (wheat and barley). The 2005 total cereal production (milled basis and not including potatoes in cereal equivalent) is expected to reach some 3.9 million tonnes (compared to 3.6 million tonnes last year), a record high since 1995, reflecting favourable weather condition and strong government support by providing agricultural labour, farm machinery, high-yielding seeds, and fertilizer.
Based on the estimated production this year, the cereal deficit in 2005/06 marketing year is estimated to decline to 890 000 tonnes. With some commercial imports and anticipated concessional imports at 500 000 tonnes from the Republic of Korea (also some from China), the country is likely to maintain national food consumption level as before. However, this level is low, at some 160 kg per capita (some 180 kg including potatoes), and well below the nutritional requirement based on international standards.
The above scenario of favourable national food availability masks the sub-national level chronic problem of food insecurity. Last year’s CFSAM estimated as many as 6.44 million people, or 27 percent of the whole population, being at risk of facing food shortages during the year. Many of them were children, pregnant women, old people, and those who were underemployed due to factory closings or work reduction programs. It is likely that their situation is by and large unchanged.
The Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has requested the United Nations to end all humanitarian aid by the end of the year, although development aid is still sought.