North Korea is a mysterious, closely-guarded country in the Eastern Hemisphere. Nevertheless, anyone with a curious and informed mindset can still understand many of its features. North Korea’s land area is 46,540 km2. Out of this overall land area, it has several categories of land use, one of which is arable land—land suitable for farming. What percentage of the land is arable in North Korea?
People who are interested in North Korean agriculture tend to agree that the average amount of arable land in the country could be about 6%. Not every source has access to exact data from the North Korean government, however, and the arable land value may range from 1.9% to 10% depending on the source.
To better understand the country’s arability, it is necessary to contrast South Korea, a unique case considering the two Korean states were one unit until recent decades. South Korea has arable land of around 46%, which can be compared to North Korea’s 6%.
Though North Korea is largely becoming agricultural, there are still many obstacles to overcome. Foremost is the lack of modern technology. North Korea’s infrastructure has been severely damaged as a result of the Korean War, and much of the necessary funding was initially allocated to the defense budget rather than agricultural initiatives.
A shortage of lands suitable for farming is also an issue. The steep slopes on farms carry the risk of landslides. Additionally, the soil is heavily contaminated with the remnants of the Korean War, leading to uneven and difficult farming conditions.
One of the main challenges encountered when farming in North Korea is a wide variety of environmental factors, such as wind and rain. The farming season is short and intense, and the unstable climate makes it difficult for farmers to cultivate.
Another challenge is the lack of access to modern equipment. Tractors, a key agricultural tool, are still expensive, and most farmers still rely on manual labour. In addition, fertilizers and improved seedstock are not widely available.
Despite all the challenges, the North Korean government has allocated considerable resources to research and development in agriculture. North Korea also seeks investments from abroad, particularly China. They offer potential investors access to land on favorable terms in order to increase agricultural output.
Effects of Arable Land Percentage on North Korea’s Agriculture
Considering North Korea’s climate and geographical features, this 6% of arable land provides a major boost to the nation. North Korea’s agricultural activities are heavily reliant on domestic resources, and the 6% of arable land has become even more important in the wake of global sanctions.
North Korea has taken a few steps in order to increase food production, such as government initiatives for larger farms and guiding farmers in the use of fertilisers and improved seedstock. Modern technology is also being used on a limited basis in some parts of the country.
North Korea has made significant progress in building modern, large-scale farms, with the aim of improving food production. The government also seeks to allocate funds to agricultural research and development,but the effects in terms of food production are still to be seen.
In addition, some large agricultural corporations have been formed in order to take advantage of the favourable terms offered to foreign investors. These corporations want to take advantage of the relatively low costs of labour and land.
North Korean farmers are still primarily divided into small plots and work collaboratively to produce food. This cooperative model is effective in the country, with small-scale farms being more resilient than large-scale ones.
North Korea’s Agricultural Trade
North Korea has an agricultural trade surplus, exporting fruits and vegetables to China and other countries. Other crops, such as rice and wheat, are mostly consumed domestically. North Korea has the potential to increase food production if the right investments are made.
North Korea has been able to produce enough food to reach a self-sufficient status and even have an agricultural trade surplus. Nevertheless, the contribution of the 6% of arable land per se to North Korea is still relatively small.
It is necessary to remember that North Korea was once called the “rice bowl of East Asia.” Currently, North Korea faces many challenges in terms of infrastructure and resources, but they are still able to produce enough food to cover domestic consumption and export some of their products to China and elsewhere.
North Korea’s Efforts to Improve its Arable Land
The North Korean government has taken various steps to improve its arable land. For example, it has allocated funds to research and development in agriculture, such as developing new fertilisers, approving the use of modern technology on farms and increasing the size of large-scale farms.
North Korean officials also seek foreign investments, offering favorable terms for those interested. This helps in modernising farms and improving the quality of their output.The North Korean government has also begun to draft policies on land use and has implemented soil conservation programs to improve land quality.
The North Korean government has also started to introduce water management initiatives in order to manage the limited water resources in the country. For example, they have constructed dams and irrigation systems in order to increase the availability of water for agricultural use.
Despite the government’s efforts to improve its arable land, North Korea still faces several challenges. For instance, the contamination of soil by the remnants of the Korean War, the lack of access to modern technology, and the need to develop sustainable farming practises.
North Korea’s Land System and Farming Practices
North Korea has various systems for the distribution of land, including collective farms, private farm cooperatives and state farms. By the mid-1990s, the majority of North Koreans were engaged in small-scale, family farming. This system of small-scale farming is still practiced in the country as it helps to ensure food security.
North Korean farmers also practice sustainable farming, with the focus on crop rotation, crop mixes and the use of green manures. This helps to keep the soil healthy and productive. North Korean farmers also make use of traditional farming tools and implements, such as oxen and hand tools.
Furthermore, North Korean farmers use traditional and modern methods to manage pests. This includes the use of natural predators to control pests as well as chemical sprays and traps.
In conclusion, while the exact percentage of arable land in North Korea is uncertain and can range from 1.9% to 10%, we can say that the amount of arable land in the country is relatively small. Nevertheless, the North Korean government has taken various steps to improve its arable land, such as allocating funds to research and development in agriculture, approving the use of modern technology on farms and increasing the size of large-scale farms. The North Korean government also seeks investments from abroad, particularly from China, in order to increase agricultural output.
