KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF* (12 September)
An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission visited the country from 23 September to 4 October 2003 and is finalizing its report. The general findings indicate that the rainfall and temperature at the beginning of the season were more favourable for crop production than they were last year. This resulted in generally better yields of spring crops and of the winter wheat sown at the end of 2002. It also benefited nursery operations and the transplanting of paddy, as well as the timely planting and establishment of maize. Improved availability of electricity resulted in more effective functioning of irrigation pumping-stations. The use of fertilizer increased again this year, and more tractors were operational as a result of better access to fuel and spare parts.
This generally positive situation is expected to result in a small increase in crop production (cereal and cereal equivalent) for 2003/04 compared with 2002/03.
In spite of this recovery, DPR Korea remains in a state of chronic food emergency and relies on foreign aid to feed its population. Some 3 million beneficiaries were dropped from WFP distributions in July, as a result of delays in the arrival of some confirmed contributions. From 1 August, WFP was able to resume distributions to all beneficiaries by using government cereal loans, which will be repaid upon the arrival of a maize donation from the Republic of Korea. However, unless new pledges are soon confirmed, further cuts in cereal distributions will again be necessary as early as October. The FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is expected visit the field shortly to update the country’s food security situation and determine the amount of food assistance requirement for marketing year 2003/04.