North Korea is intensifying efforts to secure its grain supply, anticipating delays in the wheat and barley harvests due to adverse weather conditions this year.
The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party of North Korea, reported on Wednesday under the headline “Where Does the Source of Performance Gaps Lie?” that weather conditions have been unfavorable for wheat and barley farming so far this year. The paper stated that the autumn harvest of these crops has begun later than in previous years, adding that untimely rains continue to pose challenges for the grain harvest.
The newspaper warned that missing the harvest window for preceding crops would not only result in reduced yields but also delay the planting of subsequent crops, jeopardizing overall agricultural output. It emphasized that timely harvesting depends on the commitment and determination of workers and officials overseeing the operations.
According to the report, Anak County is closely monitoring weather forecasts and mobilizing all available resources to expedite wheat and barley harvesting during dry periods. The article also noted that measures have been implemented to protect harvested grains from moisture, and threshing operations have continued even after rainfall to maximize the use of grain dryers.
The newspaper criticized some units for failing to proceed with grain harvesting and threshing as planned.
While acknowledging regional variations in rainfall and harvest timing, the newspaper insisted that if workers had been more diligent in their preparations and pushed forward resolutely, they could have met their schedules.
The article urged all agricultural workers to lead the urgent effort to harvest wheat and barley without loss, emphasizing the need for sustained effort until the very end.
North Korea consistently emphasizes increasing food production annually and has recently highlighted the need to adapt to unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate anomalies. With the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party’s foundation approaching on October 10th, the regime appears to be pushing for significant achievements in the agricultural sector.