ASIA: In Iraq, despite a good crop this year, the effects of war, sanctions and recent drought have seriously eroded the asset base of the population and left most of the population relying on food rations for their daily subsistence. Except for Georgia and Armenia, cereal harvests in most of the Asian CIS countries are now estimated at above average, although still lower than the bumper harvests of last year. In Afghanistan, a record cereal harvest is envisaged, but access to food remains difficult for a significant number of households. In DPR Korea, prospects for the rice and maize crops are improved as a result of generally good weather conditions.