Potato production in North Korea
Potato production in North Korea, is the cultivation of potatoes in North Korea, it is important to the livelihood of the country's people. The crop was introduced into the country in the early 1800s.[1] After the 1990s famine, a potato revolution has taken place. Over ten years, the area of potato cultivation in North Korea has quadrupled to 200,000 ha and per capita consumption has increased from 16 to 60 kilograms (35 to 132 lb) per year.[2]
History
The cultivation of potatoes in North Korea is an early 19th-century development (probably introduced from China)[1] which until the 1990s was affected by crop diseases, severe weather conditions, poor storage facilities, and lack of modernization resulting in lower yields.[3] Insistence on agricultural juche (self-reliance) for three decades is also cited as a reason for lower yields. During the occupation of Korea by Japan, from 1910 to 1945, potatoes were the staple crop in the country. During World War II in particular, the potato was the chief sustenance crop as rice was exported to Japan.[1] In a potato poisoning incident between 1952 and 1953, at least 322 North Koreans were affected by the consumption of rotten potatoes.[4] Of these, 52 people were hospitalized and 22 died.[4]
The "potato revolution" was initiated in 1999 by Kim Jong-il; potatoes were viewed as a crop of high importance. North Korea was provided aid for potato production by a few humanitarian organisations.[5] Following this initiative, in 1999, 6000 tonnes of seed potato was imported, but this also caused some new diseases.
The first hydroponics seed potato farm was established in Pyongyang in 2000, followed by three additional farms in other locations. Along with North Korea's Academy of Agricultural Sciences, World Vision, and the Asia Pacific Peace Committee, which was replaced by the Korea National Economic Cooperation Agency (KNECA), a fifth hydroponic seed potato farm was established in Taehongdan County in 2007, with expectations of boosting potato production quality by 50 percent.[6] In the same year, researchers, Choe Kwi-nam, Han Won-Sik, and Min Gyong-nam visited Finland to study potato farming.[7]
Potato production drew the attention of the government and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2008 with a four-year program plan. In includes infusion of $3.5 million to introduce modern methods developed by national and international research institutions. The program, based on climatic conditions of the potato growing regions, was a significant undertaking. Introduction of tested early-maturing varieties of Favorita and Zhongshu No 3 were planned to be introduced in the southern region and Zihuabai for the southern and northern highland regions which could increase production levels by about 50 per cent, and with this the expected total yield was 165,000 tonnes.[3]
In addition, more land was to be brought under improved crop varieties. Some of the other innovations adopted are introducing seed certification standards, providing farmers with access to CIP's gene bank, introduction of True Potato Seed (TPS) from botanical seed to reduce "carryover" crop diseases in seed tubers, and education of farmers in field schools.[3] Apart from FAO, the Swiss Foundation for Development Assistance (Swissaid), has also supported activities related to improvement of potato seed quality, farming techniques to fight pests, proper use of fertilizers, better warehousing, and training farmers in potato seed production.[2]
Production
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 321 kJ (77 kcal) |
|
17.47 g | |
| Starch | 15.44 g |
| Dietary fiber | 2.2 g |
|
0.1 g | |
|
2 g | |
| Vitamins | |
| Thiamine (B1) |
(7%) 0.08 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
(3%) 0.03 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
(7%) 1.05 mg |
|
(6%) 0.296 mg | |
| Vitamin B6 |
(23%) 0.295 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
(4%) 16 μg |
| Vitamin C |
(24%) 19.7 mg |
| Vitamin E |
(0%) 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin K |
(2%) 1.9 μg |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium |
(1%) 12 mg |
| Iron |
(6%) 0.78 mg |
| Magnesium |
(6%) 23 mg |
| Manganese |
(7%) 0.153 mg |
| Phosphorus |
(8%) 57 mg |
| Potassium |
(9%) 421 mg |
| Sodium |
(0%) 6 mg |
| Zinc |
(3%) 0.29 mg |
| Other constituents | |
| Water | 75 g |
|
| |
| |
|
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database | |
Land brought under potato cultivation was 188,388 hectares (465,520 acres) in 2006, and the total production was 470,451 tonnes (463,021 long tons; 518,583 short tons) with average yield level of 9.3 tons/ha for the spring variety and 10.7 tons/ha for the summer crop. The introduction of Jangjin-6, Yolmaejo-saeng and its sub varieties showed a rise in yield in the range of 100 to 160 percent.[8]
In the following year, the area planted in potatoes was 8,732,961 ha (as against 36,000 ha in 1960) and the production was 1,900,000 tonnes (1,900,000 long tons; 2,100,000 short tons) with an average yield level of 10 tons/ha. North Korea was in the 10th position in Asia in potato production in 2007. As part of the "Potato farming revolution", a low-input potato-rice cropping system (inter-cropping) was also introduced on account of its advantage with a short growing season; this resulted in a yield of 32 tonnes of potatoes and rice per hectare.[1]
Nutrition
Grown in more than 125 countries including PDR, potato is a root and tuber crop which has high nutritional value. It has protein, calcium and vitamin C. One potato of medium size contains 50 percent of the daily vitamin C needs of an adult. When boiled, its protein content is reported to be more than that of maize, with double the calcium content.[2]
Cuisine
Rice is North Korea's primary farm product.[7] The potato was considered a second grade food item, but has become the main staple in rural areas, replacing rice. In its proliferation, Kim Jong-il is considered the champion crusader.[9]
Kamja Guk, a potato soup, is a popular dish, made with potatoes and chicken broth or beef pieces. Other vegetables added to it are carrots, mushrooms, and onions spiced with pepper.[10] Noodles made of potatoes (goksu) are also popular, along with other types made out of cereal grains. The noodles are eaten hot or cold, with broth.[11] Potato cake made out of potato flour mixed with green onions, chives, and chilli pepper is also a popular dish. This mixture is fried and eaten, and is known as kamja puch’im. Another dish, Kamja sujebi, is a potato flour dumpling that is used in soups.[12]
In popular culture
French fries, which are made out of potatoes, were once banned in the country.[13] They are now approved by Kim Jong-un, in a bid to boost his popularity.[13] French fries are also mentioned in Bill Sanders' Adventures in Whopperland, in which the protagonists travel to North Korea, which is being ruled by "bloody despot" Kim Jong-il (written as Kim Chong-il), believing that the country is no threat to them for it bans the dish and has no oil.[14]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Asia and Oceania". International Year of Potato 2008 Organization. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- 1 2 3 "2008 – The International Year of the Potato". Current Concerns Journal. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Popular revolution in potato production in North Korea". New Agricultural Information. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- 1 2 Davis, Judy (December 2006). "Glycoalkaloids". Food Safety Watch. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
- ↑ Miyazaki, Jamie (September 14, 2004). "North Korea's potato gambit". Asia Times.
- ↑ Cha, Heisun (November 2007). "North Korea: World Vision Farms Set to Dramatically Reduce Food Deficit". World Vision.
- 1 2 Suominen, Heli (July 31, 2000). "North Koreans study potato farming in Ostrobothnia". Retrieved 10 June 2013.
- ↑ "The importance of quality potato seed in increasing potato production in Asia and the Pacific region". FAO Organization. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ↑ Ralph Hassig; Kongdan Oh (16 November 2009). The Hidden People of North Korea: Everyday Life in the Hermit Kingdom. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 110–. ISBN 978-0-7425-6720-7.
- ↑ "Food in Every Country:Korea". Food by Country.com. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ↑ Sari Edelstein (22 October 2010). Food, Cuisine, and Cultural Competency for Culinary, Hospitality, and Nutrition Professionals. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. pp. 306–. ISBN 978-1-4496-1811-7.
- ↑ Michael J. Pettid (2008). Korean Cuisine: An Illustrated History. Reaktion Books. pp. 106–. ISBN 978-1-86189-348-2.
- 1 2 Watson, Leon (July 2, 2012). "North Korea rebranded: Kim Jong Un attempts to give country new image by allowing residents to have mobiles and eat pizza". Daily Mail.
- ↑ Sanders, Bill (2006). Adventures in Whopperland: A Collection of Political Cartoons, Written Opinions and Essays. Lulu. pp. 46–. ISBN 9781411693678.
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