North Korea has succeeded in boosting grain yields through rice cultivated in greenhouses, emphasizing the integration of science and technology into its agriculture practices.
According to the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun, the Baekseok Farm in Sincheon County reported on Monday, “In line with the Party’s goal to enhance the scientific and intensive levels of agriculture, we produced rice seedlings in greenhouses, increasing by over one ton of grain per hectare compared to fields planted with traditional seedlings.”
The newspaper described the greenhouse seedling cultivation method as “an advanced agricultural technique that offers significant economic advantages.” It explained that this approach reduces the space required for seedling trays and shortens the growth period. “In outdoor seedling trays, seeds are typically sown on April 5 and take 35 days to produce seedlings. In contrast, although we planted seeds in the greenhouse a week later, it took only 27 days to grow the seedlings,” it reported.
Previously, around 40 pyeong (approximately 1,320 square feet) of seedling trays were necessary to cultivate seedlings for one hectare of rice. However, only 13 pyeong (about 429 square feet) is needed in a greenhouse setting. The report highlighted that this method also requires fewer materials and plastic covers, reducing seedling management efforts to a quarter of their former levels.
The greenhouses have automated systems that monitor and regulate temperature, humidity, sunlight intensity, and carbon dioxide levels, facilitating scientifically managed operations.
The newspaper also noted, “The ability to grow rice seedlings safely and robustly without being affected by natural conditions makes this method particularly practical. Once the greenhouse has completed seedling cultivation, it can also be used for other purposes, including vegetable farming, further enhancing its utility.”
The deputy manager of Baekseok Farm expressed pride in the increased yield achieved through greenhouse-grown seedlings, asserting that “scientific farming is essential for our survival and success.”
Despite these advancements, North Korea continues to face chronic food shortages and has been advocating for scientific farming techniques to increase food production and tackle climate change. However, recent summer flooding near the Yalu River has raised concerns about the potential impacts on autumn crop yields. The country is expected to focus its efforts on strategies to ensure agricultural productivity.