Why is North Korea promoting upland rice cultivation?

Due to severe drought, traditional paddy farming is difficult, so North Korea is shifting to water-efficient upland rice.

What is North Korea's food situation like?

It faces an annual deficit of 500,000–1 million tons, worsened by sanctions and climate change.

A drought-resistant rice variety grown without flooded fields, suitable for dry regions.

How severe is the drought in North Korea?

Severe droughts have been reported in South Hwanghae Province, threatening crop yields.

What impact does this have on the international community?

Food shortages may escalate into humanitarian crises, increasing pressure on aid organizations.

North Korea Promotes Upland Rice Cultivation: Experts Warn of Worsening Drought

Published Jun 16, 2026 3:23 PM ・ Updated Jun 19, 2026 1:49 AM ・ 4 min read ・ Source: CNA (Central News Agency)

North Korean authorities are accelerating upland rice cultivation, a move experts say signals worsening drought and uncertain food production prospects for this year.

(CNA, Seoul, 16th – comprehensive foreign news report) North Korea's state media reported today that authorities are accelerating the promotion of upland rice cultivation, a type of rice grown using irrigation or rainfall rather than traditional paddy fields. Experts analyze that this reflects the continued severity of drought in North Korea, raising concerns about this year's food production outlook.

AFP cited North Korean state media, noting that the nuclear-armed nation faces a stagnant national economy and chronic food shortages due to international sanctions over its weapons development programs. Elizabeth Salmon, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, stated in February that food shortages remain a major humanitarian issue in the country.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported today that upland rice planting is being intensified across the country. This report follows KCNA's April warning that North Korea is experiencing 'abnormal' and 'severe' drought, and that countermeasures are being taken to protect crops.

According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korea's state television reported last month that severe drought has occurred in various areas of South Hwanghae Province in western North Korea.

Experts say the latest reports indicate that drought conditions remain severe in this isolated and impoverished nation.

Kim Yong-hyun, a professor at South Korea's Dongguk University, explained that upland rice serves as an alternative crop when water resources are scarce. 'If North Korea is expanding the area for upland rice cultivation, it may reflect concerns about this year's food production outlook,' he said.

Park Won-Gon, a professor at South Korea's Ewha Womans University who specializes in North Korean affairs, agreed with the assessment that drought conditions in North Korea 'have not improved.'

Park stated, 'North Korea faces an annual food deficit of approximately 500,000 to 1 million tons.' (Translation: Hsu Hsiang-ping) 1150616

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Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
Category: Taiwan

North Korea Promotes Upland Rice Cultivation: Experts Warn of Worsening Drought

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