North Korea’s corn yield to drop by 40 per cent
"Of all the corn harvests I've seen while visiting North Korea over the past 12 years, this year's crop was the worst," ICF chief Kim Soon-kwon said.
Kim attributed the projected poor crop to a lack of fertiliser and severe drought in July.
The lack of fertiliser is due to the breakdown in inter-Korean relations. South Korea last year did not deliver its usual annual provision of 300,000 tonnes as relations worsened between the two governments.
Overall, North Korea has failed for years to produce enough food to feed its population. This is partly due to national disasters but also to neglect and the regime’s disastrous agricultural policies.
According to International Corn Foundation, at least 70 per cent of the North Korean population relies on corn as a staple food. Thus, the fall in output this year jeopardises food supplies for at least six million people, a third of North Korea’s population.
Despite the threat of hunger, the regime has continues its nuclear programme, after breaking off all talks with South Korea, the United States, Russia, China and Japan.
In return for giving up its nuclear programme, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is offering North Korea a "grand bargain" that includes aid and security guarantees.
12/02/2016 15:14
19/07/2006