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The source also told Daily NK that “the ineffectiveness of these insecticides the farms have created has ultimately led [the government] to mobilize local people to take measures to prevent [further] damage by disease and insecticides.”<\/p>\n
He further noted that, “Students who were on vacation, members of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea, along with the elderly and even soldiers stationed at local [military bases] have been mobilized to get rid of pests [from the orchards], but this hasn’t been enough.”<\/p>\n
The source’s report suggests that other areas of the country facing continued monsoon rains – including North Pyongan Province, South Hwanghae Province and Gangwon Province – may have already suffered from disease and pest damage to their crops. Some in the country have even raised concerns that intense rains in the country’s breadbasket – the two Hwanghae provinces – could lead to “disruptions” in food production this year.<\/p>\n
HOMEGROWN DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, North Korea still faces restrictions in importing fertilizers and pesticides after closing its border with China to prevent the spread of COVID-19. North Korean authorities are reportedly making efforts to develop “environmentally-friendly” microbial and plant-based insecticides given the country’s lack of pesticides that use commonly-used chemicals.<\/p>\n
According to a Rodong Sinmun report on Aug. 5, a research facility under the country’s agriculture ministry is reportedly “having success” in producing a “biological pesticide” that is cheaper and “significant for organic farming.”<\/p>\n
The newspaper also claimed that the country is “making airtight plans” to deal with issues regarding the “introduction of ways to eradicate disease and pests” caused by the natural environment.<\/p>\n