Rodong Shinmun, the mouthpiece of the Chosun (North Korea) Workers Party, has recently reported on a global food crisis triggered by soaring world grain prices. It has suggested a solution to the crisis is to increase potato production.
In its April 20 edition, Rodong Shinmun ran a story titled, “Increasing attention to potato production.” It said, “Food crisis is hitting the world. As of now, the world’s food stocks have reached a record low since 1970s. ”
Rodong Shinmun reported that food prices across the globe have been skyrocketing since January this year and some countries have begun to slap 25 to 40 percent tariffs on grain exports such as wheat, corn, rice and beans in order to protect domestic food reserves.
“Many nations and international organizations are looking for a solution to the ever deteriorating food crisis,” said Rodong Shinmun, adding, “[as one of solutions] the world is moving towards increasing potato production and consumption.”
On April 23, Daily NK reported that recently, near the Kilju region in North Hamkyung Province, merchants have been scouring farms in order to buy ‘Gamja Kkari’[potato scraps] in an article titled, “Cheap Potato Scraps Popular Due to Expensive Rice.”
“Gamja (potatoes) Kkari” refers to the fibrous part of a raw potato, after removing starch through grinding. The residual materials, apart from the 10% of starch, are called “Gamja Kkari.” According to defectors, over 80% of it consists of fibers. Although poor in nutrition, “Gamja Kkari” leaves a sensation of being full for a long time due to its indigestible nature.
Citizens of Yangkang Province who grow potatoes as their main crop usually sell the expensive starchy part and use the rest as alternative food. For instance, they use the potato scraps to make noodles or cakes by mixing them with corn, flour, or starch.
For a decade, North Korea has stressed the importance of potato production in an effort to solve its food shortage. It appears that Rodong Shinmun attempts to explain to the North Korean people that food shortage is a global problem and increasing potato production can help solve the shortage.
Kim Jong Il has been pushing to increase potato production in North Korea. For instance, he founded a potato institute after visiting the nation’s largest potato producing center, Daehongdan County in Yangkang Province in October 1998 as well as laboratories to culture potato tissues in each province. In addition, he has been encouraging his people to come up with more potato recipes. As a result, potato has become one of the nation’s staple food crops.
