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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been hit hard during the 1990s by floods, drought and the collapse of its special trading relationships with China and the former USSR. The impact has been devastating both to food production and to the nutritional status of the population. Total cereal production plummeted to less than half its 1980 level, while the proportion of undernourished people soared to almost half the population.
Rapid economic deterioration left the country without either the cash or creditworthiness to finance needed food imports. Massive food aid was provided, but logistical problems made it difficult to reach all people in need. The crisis strained the national Public Distribution System to the breaking point. The System sells fixed rations of rice and maize to city residents and to people who work on state-run farms and enterprises in the countryside. As crops failed and imports dwindled, reserve stocks held by the System proved far from sufficient to fill the gap. Rations were cut drastically and many people reduced consumption significantly.
The country's collapse came on the heels of a period of rapid economic growth. With limited arable land and a short growing season, gains in food production had been achieved through high-input agriculture. When the country was suddenly cut off from access to spare parts, fertilizers, pesticides and pumped water, yields started to fall sharply. Then, starting in 1995, two years of heavy storms and flooding, followed by a severe drought, devastated large tracts of agricultural land.
The country is now trying to revive agricultural production by introducing improved seed varieties and double-cropping methods, rehabilitating irrigation systems, and improving soil fertility.
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Cambodia -
reaping the dividends of
peace
Honduras -
economic growth reduces
hunger
Cuba -
loss of trading partner erodes food
security
Morocco -
thriving economy boosts food
security
Afghanistan
- war leaves little ground for
crops
Ghana -
economic growth fuels rapid
gains
Burundi -
population growth and conflict
