North Korea looking to modernize agriculture
2016 Performance Evaluation
In this year’s Address, Kim Jong Un provided some general remarks on last year’s performance. Bad news has historically been omitted from specific reference. For example, while Typhoon Bolaven displaced 30,000 people in the summer of 2012 and destroyed about 12,000 hectares of farmland, the event was not mentioned in the 2013 New Year’s Address.
Agricultural Policy Targets
After 2013, Kim Jong Un repeatedly stated that the country would focus on improving the people’s lives through increasing food production. However, the 2017 message focused on “using scientific approaches to produce high-yield crops.” This is a reflection of the Party’s intent to replace generalized plans with specific goals.
The idea of scientific agriculture in North Korea rests on seven foundational principles, including the accomplishments of juche agriculture, Double-crop supply, a seed revolution, the use of organic fertilizer, land readjustment, improving repair capabilities and enhancing mechanization.
However, North Korea’s agricultural infrastructure and equipment has been deteriorating. Climate change and natural disasters have hit the country’s farms particularly hard.
The Agricultural Sector
In 2014 and 2015, emphasis in the New Year’s Address was placed on agricultural facilities and equipment. To increase production, upgrades were made to 40,000 acres of cold weather fields. The Tideland Construction Alliance Company built a seawall in South Hwanghae Province and the adjacent farmland was expanded, a significant attempt to improve the country’s food production.
After 2014, the New Year’s Address was used to highlight the importance of improving the agricultural sector by producing vegetables and mushrooms in greenhouses. According to a July 16, 2013 article by the Party-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Kim Jong Un ordered troops to construct a mushroom factory. Kim later visited the factory, which was completed in June 2013. Mushrooms were rationalized as a good choice, because they are high in protein, cheaper to produce than meat, and perceived to be a healthy addition to the people’s diet. The greenhouse approach presumably allows the authorities to continue mushroom production all year round.
source: dailynk.com
