COUNTRY PROFILES

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Country Profiles

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES / TRANSITION ECONOMIES

(SOUTHEAST ASIA)

CAMBODIA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (17 652 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (21.8%)

Population (2005)

Total population (13 955)
Agricultural population (68.7%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$6 187 million)
GNI per capita (US$480 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (34.2%)

Agricultural Trade (2005)

Imports (US$496.9 million)
Exports (US$33.2 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 070 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (33%)

Cambodia is located on mainland Southeast Asia between Thailand, Viet Nam and Lao PDR. Cambodia has a sea coast on the Gulf of Thailand. Natural resources are abundant in timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese and phosphate, and hydroelectric potential from the Mekong River. Agriculture dominates the Cambodian economy, contributing 34.2 percent GDP in 2005 and employing 68.7 percent of the workforce. The majority of farming households are engaged in rice production. Timber and rubber are important export commodities. Main agricultural products are rice, vegetables, cassava, maize, bananas and pig meat. Agricultural imports have lessened at an annual rate of 8.3 percent from 1995 to 2005.  The main agricultural imports include cigarettes, milled paddy rice, palm oil and cotton lint. Over the same period, agricultural exports have increased 17.8 percent annually.  Rubber is the major agricultural export followed by maize, soybeans, tobacco and milled paddy rice.

INDONESIA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (181 157 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (20.2%)

Population (2005)

Total population (226 063 000)
Agricultural population (40.2%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$287 217 million)
GNI per capita (US$1 420 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (13.4%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$6 166.9 million)
Exports (US$10 918.4 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 890 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (6%)

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, is located between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans.  A large part of its land area is coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains. The country has extensive natural resources, including abundant forest and oceanic resources, fertile land, and rich deposits of petroleum, natural gas, tin, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, coal, gold and silver. Indonesia has a well-balanced economy in which all major sectors play an important role. Agriculture (including animal husbandry, fishing and forestry) is both an important source of export earnings and formal employment, and the means by which the majority of the Indonesian rural population subsists. About 40.2 percent of the workforce engages in agriculture. The agricultural sector contributed 13.4 percent of the total GDP in 2005. Main agricultural products are rice, sugarcane, cassava, coconuts, maize, bananas and tropical fruits. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 6.2 percent from 1995 to 2005.  Main agricultural imports include wheat, cotton lint, soybeans (including cakes), dry skim milk, feed supplements and maize.  Over the same period, agricultural exports have grown at 25.5 percent annually.  Palm oil is the major agricultural export followed by rubber, oil palm kernels, cocoa beans, coffee and coconut oil.

LAO PDR

Land Use (2005)

Total area (23 080 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (4.7%)

Population (2005)

Total population (5 663 000)
Agricultural population (79.1%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$2 875 million)
GNI per capita (US$500 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (44.8%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$197.4 million)
Exports (US$35.4 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 370 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (19%)

Lao People’s Democratic Republic is a mountainous, land-locked, small country heavily dependant economically on Thailand with an inadequate infrastructure and a largely unskilled work force.  The most valuable natural resources are forests and rivers which are useful for producing electricity; but some of the electricity produced is exported to Thailand and little is available outside of urban areas.  Agriculture (including forestry and fishing) is the most important economic sector. Agriculture, mostly subsistence rice farming, employs an estimated 79.1 percent of the workforce and produces about 45 percent of GDP. Rice production dominates agriculture, accounting for 40 percent of land under cultivation.  Tobacco and coffee are the most important non-rice cash crops.  Other crops include vegetables, sweet potatoes and maize. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 18.2 percent from 1995 to 2005.  The main agricultural imports include beverages, prepared food, milled paddy rice, dried fruit and sugar. Over the same period, agricultural exports have declined 7.1 percent annually. Coffee is the major agricultural export followed by maize, buffalo and cattle.

MALAYSIA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (32 855 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (23.1%)

Population (2005)

Total population (25 652 000)
Agricultural population (14.3%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$130 326 million)
GNI per capita (US$5 490 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (8.7%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$7 170.9 million)
Exports (US$10 550.1 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 880 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (3%)

Malaysia consists of two separate parts divided by the South China Sea: Peninsular Malaysia on the Malay Peninsula; and East Malaysia, the northern part of the Island of Borneo.; Both West and East Malaysia feature coastal plains rising to often densely forested hills and mountains. Natural resources are petroleum, liquefied natural gas (LNG), tin and minerals.  The main agricultural products are rice, sugarcane, natural rubber, chicken meat, coconut, bananas and cassava. Malaysia transformed itself from 1971 through the late 1990s from a producer of raw materials into an emerging multi-sector economy via the New Economic Plan (NEP). Manufacturing grew from 13.9 percent of GDP in 1970 to 48.1 percent in 2006, while agriculture and mining, which together had accounted for 42.7 percent of GDP in 1970, dropped to approximately 8.3 percent in 2006. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 10.5 percent from 1995 to 2005.  Main agricultural imports include oil palm, cocoa beans, maize, wheat, natural rubber, sugar and soya beans. Over the same period, agricultural exports have increased 18.2 percent annually. Palm oil is the major agricultural export followed by rubber, fatty acids oil, palm oil kernels and cocoa butter.

MYANMAR

Land Use (2005)

Total area (65 755 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (16.7%)

Population (2005)

Total population (47 967 000)
Agricultural population (72.3%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (NA)
GNI per capita (NA)
Agricultural GDP (57.2% in 2001)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$483.5 million)
Exports (US$248.5 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 940 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (5%)

Myanmar has borders on the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal and is located between Bangladesh and Thailand. It has central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands. Natural resources are petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas and hydropower. Main agricultural products are rice, sugarcane, vegetables, dry beans, fresh fruit and maize. According to official data, agriculture (including forestry and fishing) remains by far the biggest sector, accounting for 57.2 percent of current-price GDP in fiscal year 2001/02, and employing close to 72.3 percent of the workforce in 2005. Agricultural imports have increased at an annual rate of 8.7 percent from 1995 to 2005.  Main agricultural imports include palm oil, cigarettes, prepared food, tobacco products, wheat and beverages. Over the same period, agricultural exports have decreased 5.7 percent annually. Dry beans are the major agricultural export followed by sesame seeds, milled paddy rice, rubber, cattle and maize.

PHILIPPINES

Land Use (2005)

Total area (29 817 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (35.9%)

Population (2005)

Total population (84 566 000)
Agricultural population (35.7%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$99 029 million)
GNI per capita (US$1 420 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (14.3% )

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$3 562.2 million)
Exports (US$1 627.7 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 490 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (18%)

The Philippines is one of the world’s largest archipelagos; with more than 7 100 islands, it extends 1 900 km north to south and 1 100 km east to west.  The land is mostly mountainous with coastal lowlands.  The Philippines has extensive fishing resources (both marine and inland) and large deposits of mineral and energy resources, such as petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver and gold, and timber. Reflecting its varied resource endowments, physical and human, the economy is diversified. Rice and coconut production continue to dominate the agricultural sector. Other main agricultural products include sugarcane, rice, coconuts, bananas, maize, vegetables, pineapples and other tropical fruits.  About 35.7 percent of the workforce engages in agriculture. The share of agriculture in total GDP has declined as the sector contributed only about 14.3 percent of the total GDP in 2005.  Reflecting this trend, agricultural exports currently account for less than 6 percent of the country’s foreign earnings. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 8.6 percent from 1995 to 2005.  Wheat is the main agricultural import, followed by soybeans (including the cake of soya beans) and rice.  Over the same period, agricultural exports have grown at 11.6 percent.  Coconut oil and bananas are the country’s two major agricultural exports.  The country also exports desiccated coconut, cigarettes and canned pineapples.

THAILAND

Land Use (2005)

Total area (51 089 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (34.6%)

Population (2005)

Total population (63 002 000)
Agricultural population (45.9%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$176 634 million)
GNI per capita (US$2 990 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (9.9%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$4 543.8 million)
Exports (US$14 783.0 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 400 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (22%)

Thailand consists of a densely populated central plain; northeastern plateau; mountain range in the west; and a southern isthmus that connects to Malaysia. Natural resources are tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite and fluorite. The Thai economy is export-dependent, with exports accounting for 60 percent of GDP. The agriculture sector accounted for 9.9 percent of GDP in 2005. Approximately 46 percent of Thailand’s labor force is employed in agriculture. Rice, the dominant agricultural export crop, is irrigated in the Central Plains and in the basins of northern Thailand, but it is rain-fed elsewhere. Thailand remains one of the world's largest exporters of rice, and in 2005 sold over 7 million tonnes of milled paddy rice worth almost US$2.4 billion. Other agricultural products are sugarcane, rice, cassava, maize, natural rubber, pineapples and bananas. Other agricultural commodities produced in significant amounts include fish and fishery products. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 9.3 percent from 1995 to 2005. Cotton lint is the main agricultural import, followed by soybeans (including the cake of soya beans), dry skim milk and wheat. Over the same period, agricultural exports have grown at an annual rate of 13.3 percent. Natural rubber and paddy rice are the country’s two major agricultural export items. The country also exports natural rubber, canned chicken, prepared foods and refined sugar.

TIMOR-LESTE

Land Use (2005)

Total area (1 487 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (12.8%)

Population (2005)

Total population (1 067 000)
Agricultural population (71.9%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$349 million)
GNI per capita (US$840 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (NA)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$25.0 million)
Exports (US$3.2 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 750 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (9%)

Timor-Leste is a small mountainous country that is classified among the poorest countries of the world and the poorest in Southeast Asia.  Approximately 42 percent of the population of 1.07 million is considered to be below the national poverty line of US$1.5 per day. GDP is expected to decline further, reflecting the continued effect of the reduced international presence and the adverse impact of the weather on agricultural output.  The agricultural economy is dominated by low input/output subsistence agriculture. Important products are maize, rice, roots and tubers, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, green coffee and coconuts.  Household food security is highly heterogeneous across districts and the country, although food insecurity is generally a more pronounced problem in rural upland areas. Main agricultural imports include dry skim milk, milled paddy rice, maize and macaroni. Coffee is the major agricultural export followed by copra, spices and cocoa beans.

VIET NAM

Land Use (2005)

Total area (31 007 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (28.9%)

Population (2005)

Total population (85 028 000)
Agricultural population (64.7%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$52 408 million)
GNI per capita  (US$690 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (20.9% )

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$2 158.3 million)
Exports (US$2 326.3 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 630 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (16%)

The terrain of Viet Nam varies from mountainous to coastal delta. Natural resources are coal, crude oil, zinc, copper, silver, gold, manganese and iron. Main agricultural products are rice, sugarcane, vegetables, cassava, maize, fruits, pig meat and sweet potato. Measured by employment, Viet Nam is an agrarian society, with around 64.7 percent of the labour force working in agriculture. Since 1986, when the Sixth Party Congress approved a broad economic reform package called "Doi Moi" (renovation), Viet Nam became one of the fastest growing economies in the world, averaging around 20.9 percent annual GDP growth from 1995 to 2005. Simultaneously, agricultural production doubled, transforming Viet Nam from a net food importer to one of the world's largest exporters of rice and of commodities such as coffee, tea, rubber, pepper and fisheries products. However, agriculture's share of economic output declined, falling from 42 percent in 1989 to 20.9 percent in 2005 (as production in other sectors of the economy increased). Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 11.3 percent from 1995 to 2005.  The main agricultural imports include soya bean cake, cotton lint, cigarettes and wheat. Over the same period, agricultural exports have increased 18.2 percent annually. Milled paddy rice is the major agricultural export followed by coffee, natural rubber, cashew nuts, pepper and tea.

(SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST ASIA)

AFGHANISTAN

Land Use (2005)

Total area (65 209 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (12.3%)

Population (2005)

Total population (25 067 000)
Agricultural population (77.8%)

GDP/GNI (2005)
(UNDP est.)

Total GDP (US$7 308 billion)
GNI per capita (NA)
Agricultural GDP (36.1%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$536.0 million)
Exports (US$57.0 million)

Nutrition
(2001-2003)

Per caput DES (NA)
Prevalence of undernourishment (NA)

Afghanistan is a country of rugged mountains and arid plains, which become deserts in the southwest. It has a wealth of natural resources, including extensive deposits of natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromites as well as (semi)precious stones. Agricultural production is constrained by an almost total dependence on erratic winter snows and spring rains for water; irrigation is primitive. The main agriculture products are wheat, corn, barley, rice, cotton, fruit, nuts, karakul pelts, wool and mutton. The economy has traditionally been dominated by agriculture, which accounted for 36.1 percent of the GDP at current prices and employed around 78 percent of the workforce in 2005. Relatively little use is made of machines, chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Years of fighting left former cultivated lands uncultivated and yields have dropped, leading to persistent food shortages and increasing food imports. Four consecutive recent years of drought brought a food crisis to Afghanistan. Official statistics have been non-existent since the fall of the government in 1992. One of the largest sectors of the economy is opium poppy cultivation and processing, which together with a growing opium trade may account for one-third of the country’s GDP. Fruit and nuts, wool, cotton, hides and pelts are also exported.

BANGLADESH

Land Use (2005)

Total area (13 017 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (64.6%)

Population (2005)

Total population (153 281 000)
Agricultural population (47.0%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$60 034 million)
GNI per capita (US$480 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (20.1%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$2 085.3 million)
Exports (US$185.3 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 200 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (30%)

The land of Bangladesh is mostly flat, although there are some hilly areas in the northeastern and southeastern regions. Much of the land is intersected by the numerous waterways of the Ganges Delta and the Brahmaputra River. The annual flooding of the land provides rich alluvial soils. Natural resources are natural gas, fertile soil and water. Around 75 percent of the planted crop area is devoted to rice crops which can be harvested three times a year in many areas thanks to fertile soil and ample water supply. Other agriculture products are sugarcane, potatoes, goat milk, wheat and fresh vegetables. Bangladesh's predominantly agricultural economy accounted for 20.1 percent of the total GDP in 2005, depending heavily on an erratic monsoonal cycle with periodic flooding and drought. Most Bangladeshis, 47 percent of the total workforce, earn their living from agriculture. Population pressure continues to place a severe burden on productive capacity, creating a food deficit, especially of wheat. Foreign assistance and commercial imports fill the gap. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 9.7 percent from 1995 to 2005. Main agricultural imports include wheat, palm oil, rice, refined sugar, cotton lint and soya bean oil. Over the same period, agricultural exports have increased 6.6 percent annually. Jute is the country’s major agricultural export, followed by tobacco leaves, fresh vegetables, tea and sugar.

BHUTAN

Land Use (2005)

Total area (4 700 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (3.8%)

Population (2005)

Total population (637 000)
Agricultural population (69.1%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$844 million)
GNI per capita (US$1 410 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (24.7%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$26.8 million)
Exports (US$4.8 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (NA)
Prevalence of undernourishment (NA)

Bhutan, one of the world's smallest and least developed countries, is mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna; 66 percent of the total land is forest. Natural resources are timber, hydropower, gypsum, and calcium carbide. The economy is closely aligned with India through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. Although poor in terms of income per head, poverty is less evident than in most countries of similar income levels. The economy of Bhutan is based on agriculture, mainly subsistence farming, animal husbandry and forestry, providing the main livelihood to over 69 percent of the workforce and contributing 24.7 percent of GDP in 2005. However, the main growth in the sector is a result of forestry and cash-crop production. Increasing self-sufficiency is a major target of the Government. Main agricultural products are maize, rice, cow milk, potatoes and oranges. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 14.5 percent from 1995 to 2005. Main agricultural imports include rice, barley beer and mustard seed oil. Over the same period, agricultural exports have decreased 10.5 percent annually. Non-alcoholic beverages are the country’s major agricultural export followed by oranges, orange juice and wheat flour.

INDIA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (297 319 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (57.1%)

Population (2005)

Total population (1 134 403 000)
Agricultural population (49.9%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$805 714 million)
GNI per capita (US$820 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (18.3%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$5 544.9 million)
Exports (US$10 334.3 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 470 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (20%)

The terrain of India varies from the Himalayas to flat river valleys. Natural resources are coal, iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, chromite, thorium, limestone, barite, titanium ore, diamonds and crude oil. About half of India’s labour force works in agriculture which, with forestry and fishing, accounts for around 18.3 percent of GDP. However, the majority of landholdings are farmed at subsistence level, and many farming families live below the poverty line. India has some of the lowest human development indicators in the world, particularly in rural areas. At the other end of the scale, India also has a large number of highly qualified professionals, as well as several internationally established industrial groups. Main agriculture products are sugarcane, paddy rice, wheat, buffalo milk, cow milk, vegetables and potatoes. With the introduction of high-yield crop varieties and new fertilizing and irrigation techniques, the so-called Green Revolution, India has been self-sufficient in food since the mid-1970s. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 9 percent from 1995 to 2005. Main agricultural imports include palm oil, soya bean oil, cashew nuts, cotton lint, sugar and pulses. Over the same period, agricultural exports have increased 14.7 percent annually. Milled paddy rice is the major agricultural export followed by soya bean cake, cashew nuts, tea and wheat.

IRAN (ISLAMIC REP. OF)

Land Use (2005)

Total area (163 620 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (10.8%)

Population (2005)

Total population (69 420 000)
Agricultural population (24.2%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$189 784 million)
GNI per capita (US$3 000 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (10.4%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$4 256.4 million)
Exports (US$1 737.0 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (3 120 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (4%)

The terrain of Iran mostly consists of desert and mountains. Natural resources are petroleum, natural gas and some mineral deposits. Main agriculture products are wheat, cow milk, potatoes, tomatoes, rice paddy, barley and grapes. Historically an agricultural society, Iran achieved significant industrialization and economic modernization by the 1970s, but the economy slowed dramatically until after the end of the war with Iraq. The oil sector's share of GDP declined from 30-40 percent in the 1970s to 10-20 percent, mainly as a result of war damage to production facilities; oil revenue still provides a substantial portion of export earnings. State investment, large-scale irrigation schemes and wider production of export-based agricultural items such as dates, flowers and pistachios made agriculture Iran’s fastest growing sector over much of the 1990s. Production was reduced significantly by severe drought from 1999-2001, leading to heavy losses in livestock and cereal production. After a strong recovery Iran appears within reach of food self-sufficiency. Agriculture remains one of the largest employers, accounting for about 24.2 percent of all jobs and 10.4 percent of GDP. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 1.3 percent from 1995 to 2005. Soya bean oil is the main agricultural import, followed by maize, soya bean cake, rice and cigarettes. Over the same period, agricultural exports have increased at 19 percent annually. Pistachios, raisins, spices and soya bean oil are the main agricultural exports.

MALDIVES

Land Use (2005)

Total area (30 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (43.3%)

Population (2005)

Total population (295 000)
Agricultural population (25.1%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$766 million)
GNI per capita (US$2 680 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (NA)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$128.5 million)
Exports (US$0.9 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 600 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (10%)

The 1 190 islands of the Maldives are scattered over a vast area of the Indian Ocean (90 000 square kilometres), complicating transport, especially in rough seas, and making service delivery to the unevenly distributed and widely dispersed population living on 198 islands very expensive. Marine resources are the main natural endowment, with economic activities concentrated on fishing and tourism. There are no inland fisheries and no aquaculture in the Maldives. Fishing operations take place in off-shore, coastal and reef waters. A small internal market (many island communities depend on a single source of income (fishing)), scarcity of jobs and very limited agricultural opportunities add to the complexity of development challenges. Agricultural imports grew at an annual rate of 6.9 percent from 1995 to 2005. Main agricultural imports include milled paddy rice, cigarettes, dry whole milk and wheat flour. Over the same period, agricultural exports have increased 27.8 percent annually. Fish meal is the major agricultural export followed by alcoholic beverages.

NEPAL

Land Use (2005)

Total area (14 300 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (17.4%)

Population (2005)

Total population (27 093 000)
Agricultural population (93.1%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$7 391 million)
GNI per capita (US$290 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (38.2% )

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$195.6 million)
Exports (US$50.3 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 430 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (17%)

Nepal is located between China and India and has eight of the world's ten highest peaks. The mountains, hills and terai comprise 35 percent, 42 percent and 23 percent of the country's land area, respectively. Around 93.1 percent of the economically active population live in rural areas and depend on subsistence farming. Agriculture accounts for about 38.2 percent of the total GDP. Timber is one of Nepal’s main natural resources, but the area under forest has declined over the past three decades due to overexploitation. The country’s other natural resources include quartz, water, hydropower, lignite, copper, cobalt, and iron ore. The country’s main agricultural production includes paddy rice, sugarcane, vegetables, potatoes, maize and wheat. The country’s industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Agricultural imports have declined at an annual rate of 3.4 percent from 1995 to 2005. Main imported agricultural commodities include wool, tobacco and pulses. Over the same period, agricultural exports have declined at 4.6 percent annually. Nepal’s main exports include hydrogenated oils, non-alcoholic beverages and spices.

PAKISTAN

Land Use (2005)

Total area (77 088 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (28.6%)

Population (2005)

Total population (158 080 000)
Agricultural population (48.2%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$110 732 million)
GNI per capita (US$770 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (21.6%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$2 999.3 million)
Exports (US$2 697.2 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 320 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (24%)

Pakistan is located in southern Asia and is bordered by India in the east, China in the northeast, Afghanistan in the north and northwest, Iran in the southwest and the Arabian Sea to the south. The size of the annual cotton crop, the bulk of it grown in Punjab province, is a crucial barometer of the health of the overall economy since it accounts for 80 percent of export earnings. Natural resources are arable land, natural gas, limited petroleum, substantial hydropower potential, coal and iron ore. Main agriculture products are sugarcane, wheat, buffalo milk, cow milk, paddy rice, maize, potatoes and dry onions. In 2005, agriculture accounted for 21.6 percent of GDP and provided employment to 48.2 percent of the labour force. It supplies most of the country's food, but is also the source of raw materials for major domestic industries, especially for cotton products. Two fundamental problems that trouble the agricultural sector are: an excessive dependence on a cotton crop highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and pest damage; and the food import bill, which is rising rapidly despite a steady increase in crop, livestock, and fruit production. Agricultural imports grew at an annual rate of 17.4 percent from 1995 to 2005. Main imported agricultural commodities include palm oil, cotton lint, tea and rapeseed. Over the same period, agricultural exports have grown at 14.5 percent annually. Milled paddy rice is the main export followed by hydrogenated oils, cotton lint and molasses.

SRI LANKA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (6 463 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (29.6%)

Population (2005)

Total population (19 120 000)
Agricultural population (48.6%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$23 479 million)
GNI per capita (US$1 300 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (16.8%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$1 351.1 million)
Exports (US$209.7 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 390 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (22%)

The terrain of Sri Lanka consists of coastal plains in the northern third of the country; with hills and mountains in south-central Sri Lanka which rise as high as 2 133 meters. Natural resources are limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems and phosphate. Sri Lanka’s economy is highly dependent on domestic trade. The main agriculture products are paddy rice, coconut, sugarcane, plantains, tea and cassava. The plantation sector produces the three main export crops—tea, rubber and coconut—of which only tea has the potential for any real increase in output. Sri Lanka is the world’s leading tea exporter, and second only to the Philippines in the export of desiccated coconut and natural rubber. Paddy rice dominates the non-plantation agricultural sector and accounts for one-fifth of total agricultural output, rendering it an important determinant of agricultural growth. Although yields have improved continuously, high production costs are a drawback. Agriculture has lost its relative importance in the Sri Lankan economy in recent decades. It accounts for 16.8 percent of GDP and provides employment to 48.6 percent of the working population. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 8.3 percent from 1995 to 2005. Main imported agricultural commodities include wheat, dry whole milk, sugar, palm oil and soya bean cake. Over the same period, agricultural exports have grown at 9.6 percent annually. Tea is the main export followed by natural rubber, cinnamon and desiccated coconut.

(CENTRAL ASIA)

KAZAKHSTAN

Land Use (2005)

Total area (269 970 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (8.3%)

Population (2005)

Total population (15 210 000)
Agricultural population (17.2%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$57 124 million)
GNI per capita (US$3 790 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (6.8%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$999.0 million)
Exports (US$402.1 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 820 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (6%)

Kazakhstan borders many countries and has coastlines on the Aral Sea and the Caspian Sea. Its terrain extends east to west from the Caspian Sea to the Altay Mountains and north to south from the plains of Western Siberia to the oasis and desert of Central Asia. Oil, gas and mineral exports are key to its economic success and have attracted billions of US$ in foreign investment since the early 1990s. Kazakhstan has significant deposits of coal, iron, copper, zinc, uranium and gold.  Kazakhstan is the sixth-largest producer of grain in the world; livestock is another important agricultural commodity.  Agricultural land occupies more than 22.5 million hectares while permanent pastures occupy more than 185 million hectares (68.6 percent of the total land area). Chief livestock products are dairy goods, leather, meat, and wool.  The country's major agricultural products include wheat, cow milk, potatoes, barley, watermelons and tomatoes.  Agriculture accounts for over 6.8 percent of the GDP and accomodates 17.2 percent of the whole workforce.  Agricultural imports have increased at an annual rate of 13.8 percent from 1995 to 2005.  Main imported agricultural commodities include sugar, prepared food chocolate products, pastry and tea. Over the same period, agricultural exports have grown at 8 percent annually.  Wheat exports are a major source of hard currency; other agricultural exports are cotton lint, barley and refined sugar.

KYRGYZSTAN

Land Use (2005)

Total area (19 180 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (7.1%)

Population (2005)

Total population (5 203 000)
Agricultural population (23.1%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$2 441 billion)
GNI per capita (US$490 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (34.1%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$189.3 million)
Exports (US$155.9 million)

Nutrition
(2002–2004)

Per caput DES (3 110 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (4%)

Kyrgyzstan has incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions. It borders China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Annexed by Russia in 1864, it achieved independence in 1991. Climate varies from dry continental to polar (Tien Shan) to subtropical in the southwest (Fergana Valley) to temperate (northern foothills). Hydropower is abundant; Kyrgyzstan has significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; there are coal, oil and natural gas. Much of Kyrgyzstan’s substantial water resources are directed to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in return for coal and gas.  Industry accounts for less than 23 percent of GDP, most attributable to gold mining. Agriculture contributed about 34.1 percent of GDP in 2005, accommodated 23.1 percent of the work force and remains the bedrock of the economy. Subsistence agriculture is more common as workers laid off by the failing manufacturing sector return to farming. Much of the country consists of high-altitude steppe used mainly for livestock grazing, the most prevalent form of agricultural activity. Grain production (mainly wheat), concentrated in the fertile lower valleys, accounts for nearly one-half of all agricultural output. Other agri-products include potatoes, cow milk, maize and barley.  Agricultural imports (prepared foods, chocolate products, cigarettes, beer of barley, and wheat) grew at an annual rate of 28.1 percent from 1995 to 2005. Agricultural exports (cotton lint followed by sugar, tobacco leaves and cattle hides) grew at 11 percent annually.

TAJIKISTAN

Land Use (2005)

Total area (13 996 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (7.6%)

Population (2005)

Total population (6 550 000)
Agricultural population (30.4%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$2 312 million)
GNI per capita (US$390 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (24.4%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$144.7 million)
Exports (US$448.3 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (1 900 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (61%)

Tajikistan is a mountainous, landlocked country in the southeastern part of Central Asia that is bordered by Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, China and Afghanistan. Over 90 percent of Tajikistan is mountainous and over half lies above 3 000 meters. The north of the country covers part of the Fergana valley, a major agricultural area in the region. Natural resources are hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver and gold. The mineral resources are varied, but limited in amount. The civil war (1992–97) severely damaged the already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. The cultivable area, about 7.6 percent of the total area of the country, is utilized in annual and permanent crops, notably vineyards, but also wheat, potatoes, cow milk, tomatoes and dry onions. Agriculture employed 30.4 percent of the economically active population and contributed some 24 percent of GDP in 2005. Tajikistan has the lowest per capita GDP among the 15 former Soviet republics.  Agricultural imports (e.g. sugar, beef and veal, chocolate products, wheat and wheat flour) have grown at an annual rate of 2.3 percent from 1995 to 2005. Over the same period, agricultural exports have grown at 19 percent annually. Cotton lint is the main export, followed by cattle hides, dried fruit and onions.

TURKMENISTAN

Land Use (2005)

Total area (46 993 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (4.8%)

Population (2005)

Total population (4 833 000)
Agricultural population (31.5%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$8 067 billion)
GNI per capita (NA)
Agricultural GDP (21.0% in 2003)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$136.3 million)
Exports (US$11.2 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 820 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (7%)

Turkmenistan, situated between Iran and Kazakhstan and bordering on the Caspian Sea, was annexed by Russia in 1865?1885, became a Soviet republic in 1924 and achieved its independence in 1991. It is landlocked; the eastern part is plateau and the western and central low-lying, desolate portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert (over 80 percent of the country). Intensive agriculture exists in irrigated oases and there are large gas and oil resources near the Caspian Sea. Half of its irrigated land is planted with cotton, making it at one time the world's tenth-largest producer. The industrial sector dominates the economy, contributing an average of 50 percent of GDP annually over the past five years. The hydrocarbon industry is by far the most important subsector, accounting for about three-quarters of the export earnings and up to two-thirds of GDP. The agriculture sector accounts for 21 percent of GDP in 2003 and accommodates 31.5 percent of the work force. Wheat, cow milk, tomatoes, watermelons, sugar beets, grapes and potatoes dominate agricultural production. The Government concentrated on achieving self-sufficiency in grain production and on raising hard-currency revenue from cotton exports. In 1995, collective and state farms were transformed into farmers associations; in 1997, procedures for transferring land into private ownership were introduced. Agricultural imports grew marginally from 1995 to 2004, reaching US$101.2 million. Main agricultural imports include sugar, cigarettes and chocolate products. Over the same period, agricultural exports have also decreased at 18.9 percent annually to US$87.8 million in 2004. Cotton lint is the main export followed by cotton seed and wool.

UZBEKISTAN

Land Use (2005)

Total area (42 540 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (11.8%)

Population (2005)

Total population (26 593 000)
Agricultural population (24.4%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$13 951 million)
GNI per capita (US$610 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (28.1%)

Agricultural Trade (2005)

Imports (US$149.1 million)
Exports (US$217.3 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 290 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (25%)

The terrain of Uzbekistan consists of various regions: flat-to-rolling sandy desert with many dunes; broad, flat, intensely irrigated river valleys along Amu Darya and Syr Darya; a shrinking Aral Sea; and semiarid grasslands surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in the east. Uzbekistan was one of the poorest republics of the former Soviet Union.  The economy is based primarily on agriculture and agricultural processing; much of its population is engaged in cotton farming in small rural communities. Uzbekistan is a major producer and the world’s second largest exporter of cotton (roughly 42 percent of total exports).  It is also a major producer of gold with the largest open-pit gold mine in the world and has substantial deposits of copper, strategic minerals, gas and oil. Annual real GDP growth in 1995–2003 was estimated at 4.6 percent. Agriculture and the agro-industrial sector contributed more than 28.1 percent to Uzbekistan's GDP in 2005. Uzbekistan also produces significant amounts of wheat, cow milk, tomatoes, vegetables, potatoes, apples, cattle meat and watermelons. Agricultural productivity is low, with many farmers focusing on producing fruits and vegetables on small plots of land. Agricultural imports have decreased at an annual rate of 7.1 percent from 1995 to 2005.  Main imported agricultural commodities include milled paddy rice, sugar, tea and buttermilk.  Over the same period, agricultural exports have also declined at 3.4 percent annually.  Cotton lint is the main export followed by grapes, wheat and tomatoes.

(EAST ASIA)

CHINA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (932 748 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (16.7%)

Population (2005)

Total population (1 320 509 000)
Agricultural population (63.9%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$2 234 297 million)
GNI per capita (US$2 010 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (12.6% )

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$47 784.1 million)
Exports (US$23 107.7 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 930 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (12%)

China is the world’s fourth largest country; its terrain is mostly mountains, high plateaus and deserts in the west; and plains, deltas, and hills in the east. China is endowed with various natural resources including coal (the world’s largest production volume), iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc and uranium. In late 1978 the Chinese leadership began moving the economy from a sluggish, centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented system.  In 2005, with its 1.3 billion people but a GDP (PPP) of just US$7,700 per capita, China stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the United States.  Agriculture is the most important economic activity, providing a livelihood for over 63.9 percent of the labour force for the country with the world’s largest population. Main agricultural products are rice, vegetables, maize, sweet potatoes, wheat, potatoes and watermelons. The country also produces pork and fish. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 13.6 percent from 1995 to 2005. Soybeans are the main imported agricultural commodity, followed by cotton lint, palm oil, wheat and soybean oil. Over the same period, agricultural exports have grown by 9 percent annually.  Prepared food, prepared fruit, prepared vegetables, chicken meat and tea are the main agricultural exports.

DPR KOREA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (12 041 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (24.9%)

Population (2005)

Total population (23 615 000)
Agricultural population (25.3%)

GDP/GNI (2004)

Total GDP (NA)
GNI per capita (NA)
Agricultural GDP (NA)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$564.6 million)
Exports (US$29.4 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 180 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (33%)

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea occupies the northern half of the Korean peninsula; it borders China and Russia to the north and the Republic of Korea across the demilitarized zone. Mountains, uplands and forests cover 75-80 percent of the total area, leaving barely 20 percent to cultivable plains and lowlands, mostly in the west, plus a strip along the eastern coast.  DPR Korea is well endowed with a range of minerals: coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold and pyrites.  Agriculture cooperatives were created in the mid-1950s and with the use of modern technology doubled harvests between 1966 and 1984. Yields have since fallen. Only a few areas are suited to agriculture and the drive for food self-sufficiency in hilly terrain led to terracing and soil exhaustion. Since 1995, natural disasters have affected agriculture virtually every year with varying degrees of severity. Imports of much needed agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, pesticides, plastic sheeting, spare parts for machinery, tires for tractors and trucks, and fuel have been limited. Agricultural imports have declined at an annual rate of 3.2 percent from 1995 to 2005 while exports grew by 4.8 percent over the same period.  Milled paddy rice is the main agricultural import, followed by soybean, wheat, soya bean cake and maize. Mushrooms, straw, nuts and raw silk are the main agricultural exports.

MONGOLIA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (156 650 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (0.8%)

Population (2005)

Total population (2 580 000)
Agricultural population (21.4%)

GDP/GNI (2005 )

Total GDP (US$1 880 million)
GNI per capita (US$880 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (21.7%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$169.3 million)
Exports (US$125.2 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 250 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (27%)

Almost 83 percent of Mongolia’s area is pasture or desert wasteland of varying usefulness; and 6.5 percent is forested.  Camels, horses, cattle, sheep and goats are raised in pasture lands.  The severe continental climate restricts other agricultural activities. Water is scarce, and the growing season lasts no more than 100 days. Land quality is also adversely affected by desertification (which affects 30 percent of pasture), and by overgrazing (especially by goats).  Mongolia is rich in minerals, with oil reserves and deposits of other ores such as coal, copper, molybdenum, iron, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold and uranium. Rapid political changes in 1990–91 marked the beginning of efforts to develop a market economy, but these efforts were complicated and disrupted by the dissolution and continuing deterioration of the economy of the former Soviet Union. Mongolian agriculture, which traditionally relies on nomadic, livestock-based agriculture, accounts for 21.7 percent of 2005 GDP and sustains livelihood for about 21.4 percent of the workforce. GDP growth fell from 3.2 percent in 1999 to 1.3 percent in 2000 as a result of the loss of millions of livestock in bad weather and natural disasters in 2000.  Main agricultural products are cow milk, wheat, potatoes, sheep meat and cattle meat. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 9 percent from 1995 to 2005. Wheat flour, chocolate products and wheat are the main imported agricultural commodities, followed by prepared foods and cigarettes. Over the same period, agricultural exports increased by 3.1 percent annually.  Fine goat hair, fine animal hair, combed hair, nuts and wool are the main agricultural exports.

REPUBLIC of KOREA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (9 873 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (18.6%)

Population (2005)

Total population (47 869 000)
Agricultural population (6.4%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$787 625 million)
GNI per capita (US$17 690 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (3.4% )

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$12 462.5 million)
Exports (US$2 157.9 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (3 030 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (<2.5%)

Approximately 70 percent of Korea’s land area is mountainous and hilly with wide coastal plains in the west and south. Natural resources are limited and include coal, tungsten, iron ore, limestone, kaolinite and graphite. Main agricultural products are rice paddy, vegetables, cabbages, cow milk, pig meat, dry onions, watermelons and green onions.  Until the late 1980s the manufacturing industry accounted for a rising share of GDP, for example, nearly one-third in 1988, compared with only one-quarter in 1973.  There was a fall in the share of agriculture, forestry and fishing, from one-quarter to one-tenth, over the same 15-year period. Since 1988, the share of manufacturing in GDP has risen to 45 percent whereas that of agriculture has continued to fall to nearly 3.4 percent in 2005. Agriculture employs 6.4 percent of the workforce and over half of Korean farmers are engaged in rice cultivation.  Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 7.7 percent from 1995 to 2005.  Maize is the main agricultural import, followed by wheat, soybeans, cotton lint, prepared food and cattle hides.  Over the same period, agricultural exports increased by 9.1 percent annually.  Prepared food, cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and vegetables are the main agricultural exports.

(PACIFIC ISLANDS)

COOK ISLANDS

Land Use (2005)

Total area (24 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (25.0% in 2003)

Population (2005)

Total population (13 000)
Agricultural population (38.5%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (NA)
GNI per capita (NA)
Agricultural GDP (NA)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$24.7 million)
Exports (US$3.4 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (NA)
Prevalence of undernourishment (NA)

The Cook Islands consists of two groups of islands (13 inhabited and two uninhabited) extending over 2 million square kilometers, about half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. The North Cook Islands are atolls while the South Cook Islands are volcanic and comparatively fertile. The waters surrounding the Cook Islands are believed to contain substantial reserves of manganese, cobalt and other metals.  The islands became a British protectorate in 1888.  By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand.  Economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Key economic activities are tourism, pearl farming and the newly emerging fishing sector. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing and handicrafts. The agriculture sector employed 38.5 percent of the workforce in 2005. Agricultural imports have increased at an annual rate of 20.3 percent from 1995 to 2005. Prepared food is the country’s main agricultural import, followed by chicken meat and beef preparations. Over the same period, agricultural exports (mainly fruit juices) have increased 125.9 percent annually.

FIJI ISLANDS

Land Use (2005)

Total area (1 827 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (15.6%)

Population (2005)

Total population (828 000)
Agricultural population (38.4%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$2 729 million)
GNI per capita (US$3 300 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (15.8%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$199.6 million)
Exports (US$362.1 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 940 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (5%)

The Fiji Island group, located about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand, is an archipelago of 332 islands endowed with forest, mineral and fish resources. It is one of the most developed of the Pacific Island economies, but Fiji still has a large subsistence sector.  Natural resources are timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential and hydropower. Sugar exports and a growing tourist industry (300 000 to 400 000 tourists annually) are the major sources of foreign exchange.  Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Agriculture (sugarcane, livestock, forestry and subsistence farming) and fishing remain important, accounting for about 20 percent of GDP in the 1990s, but declining to 15.8 percent by 2005.  Sugar is still the most important crop, although its proportion of agricultural GDP fell from 46 percent in 1994 to less than one-third in 2005. Timber and fish (mainly tuna) have become increasingly important in recent years.  Breakfast cereals, ginger and coconut oil are also exported.  Other crops include bananas, vegetables, pineapples and other tropical fruits. Agricultural imports increased at an annual rate of 14.4 percent from 1995 to 2005 while agricultural exports grew 13.7 percent annually.  Wheat is the main agricultural import, followed by mutton and lamb, husked rice and dry whole milk.

KIRIBATI

Land Use (2005)

Total area (73 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (50.7%)

Population (2005)

Total population (92 000)
Agricultural population (27.2%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$76 million)
GNI per capita (US$1 230 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (14.2% in 2002)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$21.0 million)
Exports (US$2.5 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 800 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (7%)

Kiribati consists of three main island groups scattered over an expanse of ocean roughly halfway between Hawaii and Australia. The three main groupings are the Gilbert Islands, Phoenix Islands, and Line Islands. Kiribati has little or no soil, and rainfall is variable, giving only limited opportunities for agricultural development. The greatest development potential lies in the exploitation of marine resources within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone. Covering about 3 million square kilometers, it is one of the world's largest fishing zones. The per capita GDP of about US$826 makes it one of the poorest countries in the world. Phosphates had been profitably exported from Banaban Island since the turn of the century, but the deposits were exhausted in 1979. The economy now relies heavily on income from abroad, from the sale of fishing licenses, development assistance, worker remittances and tourism. Given its limited domestic resources, the country depends on imports for most of its basic food needs as well as manufactured goods. Most islanders engage in subsistence activities ranging from fishing to the growing of food crops like bananas, breadfruit and papaya.  Kiribati's principal trading partner is Australia.  Agricultural imports grew at an annual rate of 7.7 percent from 1995 to 2005. Sugar is the main agricultural import, in addition to prepared beef, wheat flour and tobacco products. In the same period, agricultural exports grew 20.5 percent annually.  The leading export is copra, which accounts for about two-thirds of export revenue.  Other exports include seaweed and fish.

MARSHALL ISLANDS

Land Use (2005)

Total area (18 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (55.6%)

Population (2005)

Total population (56 000)
Agricultural population (26.8%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$144 million)
GNI per capita (US$3 000 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (10.4% in 2001)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$11.3 million)
Exports (US$2.8 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (NA)
Prevalence of undernourishment (NA)

The Marshall Islands are comprised of 29 atolls and five major islands, which form two parallel groups–the "Ratak" (sunrise) chain and the "Ralik"(sunset) chain, containing 29 coral atolls, and a total of 1 152 islands and islets. Natural resources are marine resources, including mariculture and deep seabed minerals. The economy is heavily dependent on payments from the United States of America (more than 80 percent of government revenue) and foreign aid from a variety of sources.  Declining tourism and income from the sale of fishery rights has held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade.  The main agriculture product is copra (dried coconut meat); taro and breadfruit are subsistence crops.  Subsistence farming is the main economic activity.  Soil quality is generally poor, but fruit and vegetables, coconuts, pandanus taro, and breadfruit are produced for local consumption. The country’s export base is narrow, with copra and coconut accounting for 90 percent of exports.  A wide variety of goods, including foodstuffs, machinery, petroleum products, beverages and tobacco are imported.

MICRONESIA, FED. STATES OF

Land Use (2005)

Total area (70 000 ha in 2003)

Arable & perm. crops (51.4%)

Population (2005)

Total population (536 000)
Agricultural population (26.3%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$232 million)
GNI per capita (US$2 380 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (NA)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$61.4 million)
Exports (US$0.9 million)

Nutrition
(2001-2003)

Per caput DES (NA)

Prevalence of undernourishment (NA)

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) consists of 607 islands extending 1 800 miles across the archipelago of the Caroline Islands east of the Philippines. The four constituent island groups are Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. The economy is heavily dependent on foreign aid with the United States of America, accounting for most of the total official development assistance from all sources which total about US$100 million a year.  The fishing industry is highly important. Foreign commercial fishing fleets pay over US$20 million annually for the right to operate in FSM territorial waters (nearly 30 percent of domestic budgetary revenue). The tourist industry is present but has been hampered by a lack of infrastructure.  Farming is mainly subsistence, and its importance is declining. The principal crops are coconuts, cassava, fresh vegetables, sweet potatoes and bananas. Fish, bananas and black pepper are the major exports. Agricultural imports grew at an annual rate of 16.7 percent from 1995 to 2005. The main agriculture imports are chicken meat, milled paddy rice, prepared beef, barley beer and pigmeat.

NAURU

Land Use (2005)

Total area (2 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (0.0%)

Population (2005)

Total population (10 000)
Agricultural population (30.0%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (NA)
GNI per capita (NA)
Agricultural GDP (NA)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$2.6 million)
Exports (US$1.4 million)

Nutrition
(2001-2003)

Per caput DES (NA)
Prevalence of undernourishment (NA)

Nauru is a small oval-shaped island in the western Pacific Ocean, located just 42 kilometers south of the Equator. It is one of three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean and its economy depends almost entirely on declining phosphate deposits. The island is surrounded by a coral reef, exposed at low tide and dotted with pinnacles. The reef is bounded seaward by deep water, inside by a sandy beach. The only parts of the island suitable for agriculture are the narrow coastal strip and the area surrounding the inland Buada Lagoon. Coconut and pandanus palms grow around the lagoon.  Nauru now lacks money to perform many of the basic functions of government. There is a small amount of agricultural production for domestic consumption but most food, like all other necessities, has to be imported. Owing to porous soil and uncertain rainfall, production is limited to small quantities grown by individuals for home consumption. A few food crops are grown on the inland plateau. Fishing is popular and provides a limited amount of food although commercial fishing is underdeveloped. The main agriculture imports are prepared beef, pig meat, sugar, wheat flour, barley beer, dry whole milk, mutton and lamb.

NIUE

Land Use (2005)

Total area (26 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (26.9%)

Population (2005)

Total population (1 000)
Agricultural population (0.0%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (NA)
GNI per capita (NA)
Agricultural GDP (NA)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$2.4 million)
Exports (US$81.7 million)

Nutrition
(2001-2003)

Per caput DES (NA)
Prevalence of undernourishment (NA)

Niue is one of world's largest coral islands and is located in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga.  Its terrain is steep limestone cliffs along the coast and central plateau.  Main natural resources are fish and arable land. Niue is self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974.  The economy suffers from the typical island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population.  The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export.  Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 16.4 percent from 1995 to 2004.  Chicken meat and pastry are the main agricultural imports, followed by prepared beef and barley beer. Agricultural exports are very limited (US$350,000 in 2004) and consists mainly of coco yams, bananas and fruit juices.

PALAU

Land Use (2005)

Total area (46 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (13.0%)

Population (2005)

Total population (20 000)

Agricultural population (25.0%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$145 million)
GNI per capita (US$7 990 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (3.1%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$13.3 million)
Exports (US$0.09 million)

Nutrition
(2001-2003)

Per caput DES (NA)
Prevalence of undernourishment (NA)

The Republic of Palau consists of eight principal islands and more than 250 smaller ones lying roughly 500 miles southeast of the Philippines. The islands of Palau constitute part of the Caroline Islands chain. About 70 percent of the Palauan population lives in the capital city of Koror on Koror Island.  Its terrain varies from the mountainous main island to smaller, reef-rimmed coral islands.  Palau has among the highest living standards in the Pacific, with GDP per capita standing at around US$7 250 in 2005.  However, rapid population growth and a stagnant economy have seen per capita incomes fall over the last five years and income disparities widen.  Tourism and the service sectors are Palau's main industries contributing almost 81 percent of GDP and employing three-quarters of the work force. Agriculture is mainly on a subsistence level employing 25 percent of the workforce and contributing only 3.1 percent to GDP in 2005.  The principal crops are coconuts, root crops and bananas.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (45 286 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (1.9%)

Population (2005)

Total population (6 069 000)
Agricultural population (72.4%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$4 945 million)
GNI per capita (US$770 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (29.0% in 2003)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$235.0 million)
Exports (US$366.7 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2005)

Per caput DES (NA)
Prevalence of undernourishment (13%)

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea.  Its terrain is mostly mountainous, with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills; less than one-third of the total land area is suitable for cultivation.  Forests and woodland cover more than two-thirds of PNG’s land area.  PNG has rich natural resources including gold, copper, silver, oil and natural gas.  Mineral deposits, mostly copper and gold, account for nearly two-third of export earnings.  The country is endowed with abundant forest and fishery resources. Agriculture is the country’s important economic activity, providing a livelihood for 72.4 percent of the population and accounting for about 29 percent of the total GDP in 2005.  Main agricultural products include bananas, fresh fruits, coconuts, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, roots and tubers. Agricultural imports have grown by 2 percent per annum from 1995 to 2005.  The main agricultural imports include milled paddy rice, mutton and lamb, wheat and husked rice.  Over the same period, agricultural exports have grown by 15.7 percent annually.  Palm oil, coffee and cocoa beans are the country’s three major agricultural exports.

SAMOA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (283 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (45.6%)

Population (2005)

Total population (183 000)
Agricultural population (31.1%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$404 million)
GNI per capita (US$2 270 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (13.6%)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$90.3 million)
Exports (US$9.9 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 930 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (4%)

Samoa consists of the two large islands of Upolu and Savai'i and seven small islets and is located about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. Its terrain is mountainous with a narrow coastal plain. The economy is based on agriculture, with subsistence farming being the primary economic activity. The primary sector – agriculture, forestry and fishing – employs nearly one-third of the labor force and produces approximately 13.6 percent of GDP. A large percentage of the workforce engages in subsistence agriculture. The main food crops are coconuts, bananas, taro (coco yam), pineapples, mangoes and other tropical fruits. Tourism is also significant. The government is seeking to improve productivity in agriculture through improved farming systems and by planting species such as hybrid coconuts. There has been a substantial expansion of the fishing industry in recent years but there has been a recent decline of fish stocks in the area.  Fresh fish accounted for over half of total export earnings. Agricultural imports have increased at an annual rate of 26.4 percent from 1995 to 2005.  Coffee is the country’s main imported agricultural commodity, followed by chicken meat, prepared food, mutton and lamb, and wheat flour. Over the same period, agricultural exports have increased 16.1 percent annually.  Prepared fruit, prepared food, coconut oil and fruit juices are the country’s main agricultural exports.

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Land Use (2005)

Total area (2 799 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (2.8%)

Population (2005)

Total population (472 000)
Agricultural population (72.0%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$298 million)
GNI per capita (US$680 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (NA)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$14.3 million)
Exports (US$4.5 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (2 230 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (21%)

The Solomon Islands form an archipelago in the Southwest Pacific about 1 900 kilometers northeast of Australia. The terrain ranges from ruggedly mountainous islands to low-lying coral atolls.  The Solomon Islands stretch for over 1 450 kilometers southeast from Papua New Guinea across the Coral Sea to Vanuatu.  Natural resources are forests, fish, agricultural land, marine products, and gold.  Main agriculture products are coconuts, sweet potatoes, taro (coco yam), yams, fresh fruits and vegetables.  About 72 percent of the islands’ labor force is engaged in subsistence farming and fishing.  Forests and woodland cover 77.6 percent of the total land area, which explains why the logging industry is the dominant sector within the economy. Coconut products are traditionally the main agricultural output. Other important cash crops and exports include copra and palm oil. Tourism, particularly diving, is an important service industry for the Solomon Islands. Agricultural imports have declined at an annual rate of 23 percent from 1995 to 2005.  Prepared food is the main agricultural import, followed by tobacco products, sugar, wheat and wheat flour. Over the same period, agricultural exports have increased at 29 percent annually.  Palm oil, copra, coconut oil and cocoa beans are the main agricultural exports.

TONGA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (72 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (36.1%)

Population (2005)

Total population (99 000)
Agricultural population (31.3%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$214 million)
GNI per capita (US$2 170 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (28.9% in 2002)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$24.8 million )
Exports (US$7.3 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (NA)
Prevalence of undernourishment (NA)

Tonga is an oceanic archipelago about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand.  It has a small, open economy with a narrow export base in agricultural goods.  Coconuts, pumpkins, squash and gourds, cassava, sweet potatoes, fresh vegetables and yams are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up 90 percent of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. Tourism is the second largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances.  The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit.  Agriculture accounted for around 28.9 percent of real GDP in fiscal year 2001/02 (July-June).  Agricultural imports grew at an annual rate of 0.33 percent from 1995 to 2005.  Mutton and lamb are the main agricultural imports, followed by wheat flour and chicken meat. Over the same period, agricultural exports have increased at 32 percent annually. Pumpkins, squash and gourds, and vanilla beans are the main agricultural exports.

TUVALU

Land Use (2005)

Total area (3 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (66.7%)

Population (2005)

Total population (10 000)
Agricultural population (30.0%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (NA)
GNI per capita (NA)
Agricultural GDP (NA)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$4.1 million)
Exports (US$0.2 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (NA)

Prevalence of undernourishment (NA)

Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil, located about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. Less than 1 000 tourists, on average, visit Tuvalu annually. The cash economy depends largely on remittances from citizens working abroad (many as merchant seamen) and government spending. Government finances are supported by foreign aid and the Tuvalu Trust Fund, a publicly owned investment vehicle established in 1987, with capital mainly provided by Australia (about one-third), the United Kingdom and New Zealand, with contributions from Japan and the Republic of Korea.  Chicken meat is the country’s main agricultural import followed by pastry, rice and prepared beef. Copra and fish are the main agricultural exports.

VANUATU

Land Use (2005)

Total area (1 219 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (8.6%)

Population (2005)

Total population (215 000)
Agricultural population (33.0%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$341 million)
GNI per capita (US$1 710 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (15.0% in 2003)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$21.2 million)
Exports (US$14.8 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2003)

Per caput DES (2 600 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (11%)

Vanuatu is a 'Y' shaped archipelago that comprises 80 islands northeast of Sydney, Australia and southwest of Honolulu.  The two largest islands, Espiritu Santo (or Santo) and Malakula, account for nearly one-half of the total land area. They are volcanic, with sharp mountain peaks, plateaus and narrow coastal plains. Natural resources are forests, agricultural land and marine resources. Main agriculture products are coconuts, roots and tubers, bananas, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and cattle meat. The economy is dominated by subsistence agriculture and services, mostly those associated with tourism and Vanuatu’s status as an offshore financial centre.  About 33 percent of the population is engaged in agricultural activities and most depends on subsistence agriculture, with the agricultural sector as a whole accounting generally for around 15 percent of real GDP in 2003.  The services sector normally accounts for around two-thirds of GDP.  Agricultural activities range from subsistence farming to smallholder farming of coconuts and other cash crops. Coconut oil is by far the most important cash crop (making up more than 50 percent of the country's exports), followed by timber, beef and cocoa. Kava root extract exports also have become important.  Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 8.6 percent from 1995 to 2005.  Milled paddy rice is the main agricultural import, followed by wheat flour, pastry, cigarettes and prepared foods. Over the same period, agricultural exports have decreased at 25.8 percent annually.  Coconut oil, copra, beef and veal, and cocoa beans are the main agricultural exports.

(DEVELOPED COUNTRIES)

AUSTRALIA

Land Use (2005)

Total area (768 230 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (6.5%)

Population (2005)

Total population (20 310 000)
Agricultural population (4.2%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$732 499 million)
GNI per capita (US$35 990 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (3.4% in 2003)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$5 348.4 million)
Exports (US$18 705.4 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (3 120 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (<2.5%)

Australia has an abundance of mineral resources and of land suitable for agriculture. Its terrain is varied, but generally low-lying. Urban centres occupy a relatively small proportion of the continent, and the population is concentrated in a narrow strip along the eastern seaboard.  Around 6.5 percent of the land is arable or used for agricultural purposes, and 18.9 percent is occupied by forests. Australia has substantial reserves of economically important minerals: lead, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, ilmenite, rutite and zircon, and uranium reserves. At the beginning of the 1950s agriculture accounted for about 25 percent of Australia's GDP, but in fiscal year 2002/03 (July-June) agriculture (including forestry and fishing) accounted for only 3.4 percent of GDP.  Although mining and agriculture are small in terms of Australia's GDP, they account for a large share of exports. In 2002/03 rural and mineral exports (including processed goods) accounted for over half of total merchandise exports. Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 17.5 percent from 1995 to 2005. Prepared food is the main agricultural import, followed by alcoholic beverages, pig meat and cheese. Over the same period, agricultural exports have increased at 6.1 percent annually.  Beef and veal, wheat, wine, wool, barley, mutton and lamb, and cotton lint are the main agricultural exports. 

JAPAN

Land Use (2005)

Total area (36 450 000 ha)
Arable & perm. crops (12.9%)

Population (2005)

Total population (127 896 000)
Agricultural population (2.9%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$4 533 965 million)
GNI per capita (US$38 410 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (1.3% in 2003)

Agricultural Trade
2005)

Imports (US$46 314.7 million)
Exports (US$1 764.2 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2005)

Per caput DES (2 770 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (<2.5%)

The Japanese archipelago, which includes some 7 000 islands, stretches for around 3 000 km from north to south through several climatic zones.  Some 70 percent of Japan's landmass is mountainous terrain that is essentially uninhabitable, so the residual areas are used intensively. Japan has few natural resources and a negligible amount of mineral resources and fish.  The main agriculture products are paddy rice, cow milk, sugar beets, potatoes, fresh vegetables, hen eggs and cabbages. Only 13 percent of Japan's land is suitable for cultivation. With per hectare crop yields among the highest in the world, Japan maintains an overall agricultural self-sufficiency rate of about 50 percent on fewer than 4.7 million cultivated hectares.  Japan normally produces a slight surplus of rice but imports large quantities of wheat, sorghum and soybeans.  Manufacturing has been the mainstay of Japan's economy since the 1960s and today accounts for just 28 percent of GDP.  Although in economic terms agriculture is becoming less important (accounting for 1.3 percent of GDP in 2003 and employing 2.9 percent of the workforce), it remains influential in politics due to the electoral system.  Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 5.2 percent from 1995 to 2005.  Pork is the main agricultural import, followed by maize, cigarettes, beef and veal, soybeans and wheat. Over the same period, agricultural exports declined at 5.3 percent annually.  Prepared food, cigarettes, fruit seeds, wheat flour and pastry are the main agricultural exports.

NEW ZEALAND

Land Use (2005)

Total area (26 799 000 ha in 2003)
Arable & perm. crops (12.6%)

Population (2005)

Total population (4 097 000)
Agricultural population (8.1%)

GDP/GNI (2005)

Total GDP (US$109 291 million)
GNI per capita (US$27 250 in 2006)
Agricultural GDP (9.5% in 2001)

Agricultural Trade
(2005)

Imports (US$2 033.1 million)
Exports (US$9 959.3 million)

Nutrition
(2002-2004)

Per caput DES (3 190 kcal/day)
Prevalence of undernourishment (<2.5%)

New Zealand is comprised of two main islands (the North and South Islands) and smaller outlying islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean. New Zealand has a mild and temperate climate which is well suited to pastoral agriculture and horticulture (over half of the total land area), with an additional 28.6 percent covered by forest. Terrain is highly varied, from snowcapped mountains to lowland plains. Natural resources are timber, natural gas, iron, sand and coal.  Agriculture products are cow milk, cattle meat, sheep meat, potatoes, fruits (apples and kiwi) and barley.  New Zealand is heavily dependent on trade - particularly in agricultural products - to drive growth.  The agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors employ nearly 8.1 percent of the workforce.  Leading agricultural exports include meat, dairy products, forest products, fruits and vegetables, fish and wool. Grasslands farming is the basis of its agricultural system since around half of its total land area is used for pastoral farming. Wheat, barley and peas are the major arable crops and are grown mainly in the Canterbury region.  Agricultural imports have grown at an annual rate of 15.3 percent from 1995 to 2005 and reached US$2.04 billion in 2005.  Prepared food is the main agricultural import, followed by wine, alcoholic beverages, pastry and wheat. Over the same period, agricultural exports have increased by 12.9 percent annually. Mutton and lamb, dry whole milk, beef and veal, butter and cheese are the main agricultural exports.

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