A German NGO is currently working on environmentally sound organic farming methods with North Korean partners, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported today.
According to RFA, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FIBL) is currently operating a cooperative farm near Pyongyang, teaching organic methods to cooperative farm managers from around North Korea with a three-year grant of ?50 million from the EU. The project is set to run until 2014.
FIBL spokesman Vias Te Hoover explained to RFA, “We are teaching North Korea how to farm with organic matter instead of chemical fertilizers or agricultural pesticides,” adding, “We are currently working with North Korea’s Agricultural Research Service to farm 30ha of land in an environmental friendly way.”
Five German researchers are working with the North Koreans to find eco-friendly farming methods and plant types suitable for North Korea’s particular climate.
One defector reacted cynically upon hearing the news today, telling Daily NK, “Organic farming has its pros in that it is environmentally friendly, but organic productivity is low so it does not really fit a place like North Korea that suffers severe food shortages. Unless they want to know how to grow organic vegetables for the leaders, I’m not sure what the point is.”
