(Extract)
[Food]
Uncertain Food Ration Outlook for Orchard Workers at Kwail County
Orchard workers from Yeonkwang-ri in the Kwail County in the South Hwanghae province are anxious about the uncertain food ration outlook for this year. Usually food ration for the orchard workers were supplied by their own harvest of corn and rice. However, because of bad farming conditions due to heavy rain in June and drought in August, big shortage in the food distribution is expected. Many families have already run out of food since early spring. Orchard workers complain that even though they harvest fruit, it is no help to their food shortage since fruit cannot substitute a meal. The only thing they can do is store the fruit and sell it in the winter to buy food.
The Yeonkwang-ri orchard had severe food shortage last year as well. This orchard normally grows apples, pears, plums, strawberries and peaches. The orchard workers have also been growing some grain between the fruit trees to supplement their food supply. However, this practice was caught by the Fruit Production Administration inspectors and the managers received severe criticisms. The Fruit Production Administration prohibits growing of any grain alongside the fruit trees because the grain depletes the fruit trees of nutrients. Similarly, in Anak County, an orchard worker was fired and all the bean plants destroyed because he planted beans alongside the apple trees. Previously, the Agricultural Management Council allowed limited plating of beans among the apple trees because the apples trees were of a taller variety. However, the new apple trees are of a shorter variety and have not been growing well due to the side farming. Therefore, the party prohibits growing any grain alongside the fruit trees.
In Jaeryong County 1/3 of Farm Workers Survive on Porridge
At the Cooperation Farm in Jaeryong County in the South Hwanghae Province, the crop yield is not very high despite the encouragement from the managers. The farming parties followed the farming schedule for 150 days through July and things seemed to be going well. However, the farming suffered from the drought in July and August. Currently in the West Sea district, about 1/3 of the families in the villages survive on porridges. This is about 20 families out of 60 families. The workers are already worried about the food shortage in the fall. People living in towns and cities can supplement their food supply through business, but farmers are unable to do so. The farmers have no choice but to wait for the food distribution from the government. Many worry that if this does not occur, "Everyone will starve to death before they reach the goal of building a Strong and Prosperous Nation in 2012."
Onchun City Farm, "What Happened to 10 Ton Production Base…"
County Assembly of Onchun County, South Pyongan Province gathered officers from all levels and confuted the importance of a successful harvest year on May 22 when 150-Day Battle began. They emphasized, "In order to open doors as the Strong and Prosperous Nation in the year 2012, we have to resolve the food crisis." And yet they left it up to the residents within the county to find their own way to solve their food crisis. Starting May 2005, all enterprise workers, all members of the Democratic Women's Union, and middle school students were all called in and mobilized to work at farms. Because they tightened inspection to make sure there are no absences, the harvest went fairly well until July. However, they estimated that hot climate change between July and August negatively impacted yields. The problem was not only the climate but that farmers failed to fully understand the new crops. The farm had their #2 working group and #4 working group grow corns as their new crop, but they failed because the residents did not understand the instructions given by the Farm Supporting Group. Because this was a brand new crop, the Farm Technique Directive Officers had some difficulties giving instructions.
With the 100-Day Battle, officers at the County Party and Agencies of the County Distribution are on the ground directing the fall harvest. Onchun County is worried because their harvest returns are worse than that of previous year. A farm officer commented on the seriousness of the food crisis, "Our County can produce up to 10 tons a year. This not only satisfies our own needs but we can share with other counties as well. Our County is the best known open field in South Pyongan Province. I don't understand how we came to such devastating food crisis. This is the area where people can eat rice even if other areas can't. It's inconceivable that we have more serious food problems.
Continuing Occurrence of Absentees Due to Food Problem at the Gumduk Mine
Although the 100-Day Battle already begun, there are continuing absences of workers at the Gumduk Mine in Danchun City, South Hamgyong Province. The 4th Group and 5th Group of the 2nd mine was fine until June when they still received corn and rice. By July, they only received corn, and they were getting nothing by September. Only laborers (not family members) received the food for the first half of October on October 2, which was a day before Harvest Festival. Because of the food situation, the number of absent workers increased even with the 100 Days Combat. Last October 7, the miner announced that they will punish all absent workers. Out of 23 absent workers, 5 are staying home from illness and remaining 17 workers needed to present their reasons for their absence and requested medical notes from their doctors. If the absent workers can't prove their illness, they will be sent to the discipline center for twice as many days that they were absent from work.
This Year's Crop Yield Falls Short of Last Year in Jangyeon County
From September 23 to 29, the Farming Management Commission in Jangyeon County in the South Hwanghae Province dispatched officers to every farm to determine the crop yield. The crop yield for corn is expected to be around 2 to 2.5 tons per Jungbo (a unit of land of 2.45 acres) because the farming was not very successful. Similarly, the crop yield for rice and beans is expected to fall short of last year. The price of rice in Jangyeon County is 200 NK won less than the Northern Hamgyong Province. Nevertheless, many residents are surviving on porridges due to food shortage.
