Project: Improved Seed Production for Sustainable · PDF file · 2017-11-28FAOSOs...

DPRK

United Nations Development Programme

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of DPR Korea

Project: Improved Seed Production for Sustainable Agriculture

FAO, DRK/10/004//01/99

UNDP Atlas ID: 00078564

Project Terminal Report

(April 2011 – October 2014)

Compiled by

Bir C. Mandal

Chief Technical Advisor

DRK/10/004 and 005 Projects

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

October 2014

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A. OVERVIEW

A.1. PROJECT PROFILE

Country:

Project Symbol:

Project Title:

Resource Partner:

Reporting Period:

EOD:

Actual EOD:

Original NTE:

Revised NTE:

Budget Holder (name):

Lead Technical Officer (name):

Participating Organizations:

Implementing Partner:

Korea, Democratic Peoples‟ Republic of

DRK/10/004/01/99

Improved Seed Production for Sustainable Agriculture

UNDP

Project Terminal Report

29 April 2011 (LoA between FAO and UNDP signed)

15 August 2011

28 April 2014

31 October 2014

Mr. Percy W. Misika, FAO Representative in China, DPR

Korea and Mongolia

Mr. Subash Dasgupta, Senior Crop Production Officer until

31st Dec. 2014; and Mr. Bui Ba Bong, Senior Rice Expert

during Jan. – Oct. 2014

Seed Management Department and External Cooperation

Department, Ministry of Agriculture; Pyongyang Agricultural

Campus; and Academy of Agricultural Science

Seed Management Department and External Cooperation

Department, Ministry of Agriculture, GoDPRK

Contribution to Programmatic Framework

Indicate the reference number and title of each higher level result to which project contributes

Organizational Result

The global goal # 1 of FAO: Reduction of the absolute

number of people suffering from hunger, progressively

ensuring a world in which all people at all times have

sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary

needs and food preference for an active and healthy life.

Regional Priority Area/Result The specific priority # 1 of FAO RAP: Strengthening food

and nutritional security. *

Country Programming Framework

Outcome

The priority # 1 of the CPF: Strengthening national food and

nutritional security.

UNDAF Outcome

UN-DPRK strategic priority # 2: Improved nutritional status

and enhanced resiliency of communities through food

security.

A.2. FINANCIAL DATA in USD (FPMIS)1 as at: 31:12:2013

Budget: US$ 1,729,355

Cash received: US$ 1,729,355

Total delivery: US$ 1,673,414 = 96.76 % of the total FAO budget – US$ 1,729,355.

1 Data should be identical to that available in DWH.

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CONTENTS

Subject Page Number

Acronyms 5

Acknowledgements 7

A. Overview 2

A.1. Project Profile 2

A.2. Financial Data 2

A.3. Executive Summary 8

A.3.1. Prelude 8

A.3.2. The Problem 8

A.3.3. The Response 8

A.3.4. Results Achieved 10

A.3.5. Follow-up Actions 11

B. Government Attention 11

C. Major Activities Carried Out by the Project 12

C.1. Introduction 12

C.1.1. Background 12

C.1.2. Agriculture in DPRK, a Snapshot 12

C.1.3. Planting and Harvesting Time 13

C.1.4. Major Problems of Seed Sector 14

C.2. Technical Support on “Basic Strategy of Seed Production” 14

C.3. Co-ordination/Consultation Process with Cooperative Farms and Stakeholders 15

C.4. Equipments, Machineries and Infrastructures 16

C.4.1. Equipments and Machineries 16

C.4.2. Infrastructure Development 19

C.5. Seed Quality Control 21

C.6. Decentralization of the Seed Production Programme 21

C.7. Production of Various Classes of the Seed 21

C.8. Drought, Flood and Seeds 21

C.9. Support for System of Rice Intensification (SRI) 22

C.10. Support to Mitigate Impacts of Dry Spell 22

C.11. Environmental Sustainability 23

C.12. Capacity Building 23

C.13. Meetings of the Committees 26

C.14. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) 26

C.14.1. Evaluation of Seed and Post-harvest Projects 26

C.15. Relevant Cross-cutting Issues 27

C.16. Project Economic Benefits and Sustainability 27

D. Project Outline and Results 29

D.1. Achievement of Results 30

D.2. Relevance 32

D.3. Sustainability 35

D.3.1. Financial Sustainability 35

D.3.2. Institutional Sustainability 36

D.3.3. Policy Level Sustainability 36

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D.3.4. Environmental Sustainability 36

D.3.5. Social Sustainability 36

D. 4. Implementation 36

E. Follow-Up Actions 38

F. Lessons Learned 39

F.1. Lessons Learned – Elements of Success 39

F.2. Lessons Learned – Impediments/Constraints 40

G. Recommendations 40

H. Possible Priorities Areas for a Project Extension or Complementary Project 43

Annex – I. General Information on Demonstration Cooperative Farms 44

Annex – II. Assets Delivered under Seed Project 45-48.

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Acronyms

AAS Academy of Agricultural Sciences

AGP Plant Production and Protection Division

BH Budget Holder

BS Breeder Seed

CBS Central Bureau of Statistics

CFSAM FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission

CPF Country Programming Framework

CPFIC Country Programming Framework Implementation Committee

CS Certified Seed

DPRK The Democratic People‟s Republic of Korea

EMOP Emergency Operation

ESCAP United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

EUPS European Union Programme Support Units

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

FAORAP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

FAOSOs FAO Strategic Objectives

FAORP FAO Regional Priorities

FCCC Framework Convention on Climate Change

FS Foundation Seed

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GNP Gross National Product

GoDPRK Government of DPRK

HYV High Yielding Varieties

IEC Information, Education and Communication

INM Integrated Nutrient Management

IPM Integrated Pest Management

IRRI International Rice Research Institute, Philippines

Juche Self Reliance

LPC Local Procurement Committee

LTO Lead Technical Officer

LTU Lead Technical Unit

M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

MDGs Millennium Development Goals

MICS Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

MoA Ministry of Agriculture

MoC Ministry of Commerce

MoLEP Ministry of Land and Environmental Protection

MoPH Ministry of Public Health

MOV Means of Verification

NC DPRK National Committee for FAO

NMDGs National MDGs

NPC National Project Coordinator

NPD National Project Director

NTE Not to Exceed (end date)

OPV Open Pollinated Varieties

OSRO Office for Special Relief Operations

PAC Pyongyang Agricultural Campus (Also known as Pyongyang Agri. University)

PB Project Board

PDS Public Distribution System

PMU Project management Unit

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PRRO Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation

PTF Project Task Force

RPFAP Regional Priority Framework for Asia and the Pacific 2010-2019

SCST State Commission for Science and Technologies

SOFI State of Food Insecurity in the World

SPC State Planning Commission

SRI System of Rice Intensification

TCP Technical Cooperation Programme

TCSR Donor Liaison and Resource Mobilization Team

TF Trust Fund

TOR Terms of Reference

TR Terminal Report

TSS Technical Support Services

TWG Technical Working Group

UN United Nations

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund

VRI Vegetable Research Institute

WFP World Food Programme

WHO World Health Organization

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Acknowledgements: FAO would like to acknowledge and thank UNDP for funding the project

DRK/10/004//01/99 – Improved Seed Production for Sustainable Agriculture, which enabled us to

carry out the activities reported in this report. UNDP took keen interest in the implementation and

monitoring the progress of the project. They deserve special appreciation and thanks.

Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed Project

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A.3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A.3.1. Prelude: This report is the Terminal Report (TR) of the project, “Improved Seed Production for

Sustainable Agriculture (Seed project)”, funded by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

and executed by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in the Democratic

People‟s Republic of Korea (DPRK), operationally closed on 31st October 2014. Its purpose is to close

the project in a formal way with a statement about the project‟s activities which reflect on its

performance over the past more than three years using the commonly accepted evaluation criteria

(relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability), and finally drawing out

some conclusions, and making recommendations for the future.

A.3.2. The Problem: The Democratic People‟s Republic of Korea has had mixed experience in its

quest to achieve food security. One of the factors constraining the country‟s efforts has been poor

quality seeds. The seed multiplication sub sector is faced with weak research and extension culture,

low level of awareness among farmers and poor technology applications. All these have affected

efforts to increase agricultural productivity and improving rural livelihoods in a sustainable manner.

Average crop yields in the DPRK, are substantially low than yields achieved in the other countries of

this region. The main reasons for this are poor quality of soil (which lacks organic matter and soil

nutrients due to continuous mono- cropping), inadequate supply of fertilizer, and poor quality seeds of

inappropriate varieties.

Poor quality of seed is reflected in the use of almost twice the normal quantity of seed per unit area

used by farmers to grow rice and maize, perhaps to compensate for low germination percentage. With

the successful double crop technology recently introduced in the country, maize and wheat are getting

popular with the farmers as a second crop in addition to rice based mono- cropping farming. Among

the limitations to expand double cropping, however, is inadequate supply of high quality certified

seed.

The total seed requirement, excluding potato, is estimated to be 227 000 MT calculated on seeding

rates presently used by farmers, which are about twice the normal seeding rates used in other

countries. If the germination quality of seed is improved and farmers are advised to economize on

seeding rates, the effective demand for quality seed will be approximately 170 000 MT. The Seed

Management Department of the MoA through its 240 co-operative seed farms is annually producing

156 000 MT of certified seed under the seed certification system. It may not be possible to raise the

quality of seed due to limited seed testing facilities in the regional crop inspection centres, and lack of

trained professionals with adequate knowledge of modern seed and seed health testing procedures.

Furthermore, the seed production farms are not properly equipped for seed production, seed

conditioning and storage. There is lack of appropriate early maturing varieties suitable to promote

double cropping. Superior variety breeding aspects, including variety maintenance and regular source

of high quality breeder seed also require improvement.

Of the above-mentioned 156 000 MT, the percentage of seed supplied of acceptable quality

according to international standards was estimated at 13 percent at the time of project formulation.

Due to the lack of appropriate cleaning and processing facilities, seed farmers failed to meet the

international seed standards in terms of rate of germination, moisture and impurities.

A.3.3. The Response:

Strategy indentified to solve the project problem:

a. Triangle Approach: The project practiced „Triangle Approach‟ which is very successful in many

developing countries including DPRK. Triangle Approach means three angles are composed of

Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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International Organizations (FAO and Donor), concerned Government Departments (Local Authority

and Technical Departments) and Community (Members of targeted cooperative farms).

b. Participatory Process: Project implementation was based on people‟s participatory approach so

that they were included in the project and developed ownership of it. Planning, implementation,

monitoring and evaluation of project activities were based on a participatory approach. The project

carried out community mobilization using a participatory, gender-sensitive and community-based

approach. The project envisaged ownership of the development efforts to evolve and take root at the

level of cooperative farmers and their institutions through the involvement of the key stakeholders.

Farmers responded enthusiastically to new initiatives and accepted advice based on successful

experience, provided they were given the opportunity to participate freely and make their own

judgements and choices. Attention was placed on developing self-reliance amongst Work Teams of

cooperative farms through an effective social mobilisation process and introduction of appropriate

management procedures aimed at strengthening the capacity of its members to resolve problems

generated during implementation.

c. Equity: The needs and opportunities of vulnerable groups were specifically considered in the

context of improved access to resources, information, inputs and services. The project aimed to

provide women with equal access to training and inputs within project activities. Community-based

activities that promoted seed security (training on seed production and protection) involved specially

women in identifying and prioritizing their needs and responding to their needs.

d. Participatory Learning Action: The project experts and the beneficiaries introduced the location-

specific, low-level and low-cost technologies to produce improved seeds based on participatory

learning actions that allowed them to learn from each other about the merits of traditional and

scientific knowledge. It also utilized the knowledge and experience of international professionals to

train and improve the capacity of the national counterparts in the selected areas through training and

demonstrations, information, experience exchange, and consultancy services.

e. Harmonization of Development Efforts: Complementary collaboration among all partners (in

particular with EUPS Unit 2, 3 and 4 involved in agriculture and seed production) was fostered. The

project strived to harmonize its interventions with other international efforts, the government‟s broader

plans and programmes and other international organizations‟ projects and activities. This directly

benefited the government in terms of savings from preventing duplication of efforts and ensuring

efficiency of programmes related to agriculture and seed production.

f. Flexibility: The project in its design, partnerships and working methods had a built-in flexibility to

enable the stakeholders to experiment, learn and adapt to their specific needs and opportunities. The

project focused on suggestions received from local governments, project staff and the beneficiary

groups during the annual planning activities and Project Board meetings. Therefore, the activities

currently mentioned in this Terminal Report were refined and improved in the course of its

implementation with kind approval of the Project Board.

Expected Results (key outputs and outcome): The project has achieved approximately 85 - 95 %

of the following major outcomes:

i. Enhanced capacity of professionals engaged in planning and implementation of a coordinated

seed improvement programme.

ii. Enhanced capabilities of professional in production, processing and testing of seeds.


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iii. Enhanced capacities of professionals and improved facilities for seed production and

conditioning.

iv. Enhanced capacities of professionals and improved facilities for seed certification.

v. Farmers' awareness and knowledge for use of certified quality of seeds of recommended varieties

improved.

vi. Availability of quality seeds in higher quantities that are suited to the agro and ecological

conditions of the Democratic People‟s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

So far, the project has achieved the following major outputs:

i. Standard technologies and management in seed production and processing introduced in project

farms – achievement: approximately 90-95 %,

ii. Seed quality control system improved - achievement: approximately *85 - 95 %,

iii. Seed policy and ordinance issue addressed - achievement: approximately **80-90 %,

* Major constraints: Lack of seed processing equipments/machineries,

** It is not so practical and may not need to change the Seed Policy, rather it is more practical and

needed to change Seed Guidelines at field and lab levels.

In general, most of the outputs are achieved as per project‟s targets.

Eventual Changes:

a. The Project was initially approved and signed in November 2006, but never started implementation

due to suspension of all UNDP programme in the DPR Korea in March 2007. In line with Executive

Board directives the project was resumed starting with a reformulation and re-approval in 2011,

aligned with the priorities set in UNDP Country Programme Document (CP). In the contemporary

context, the project is also aligned with the Country Programming Framework (CPF), 2012-2015

agreed upon by the FAO and the Govt. of DPR Korea as well as with the FAO‟s Strategic Objectives

(SO) to contribute to the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.

b. The project formally commenced in April 2011. The project virtually started in September 2011 with

the inception workshop held in Pyongyang and its operations gained momentum with the positioning

of the project manager, its Chief Technical Adviser, in December 2011.

c. No major changes were made in project design. However, the numbers of trainees per training were

decreased from 100 to 50 as approved by second Project Board meeting. The saving from training sub-heading

was used to construct farm infrastructures and procure farm equipments/machineries as approved by Project

Board meetings.

A.3.4. Results Achieved: The relevant text of „Project Evaluation Report, April 2014‟ is quoted. Quote:

The “Improved Seed Production for Sustainable Agriculture” project concentrated its support to the

seed sector in DPRK via farms that produce seed of both, staple food and vegetable crops. Project

outputs are a combination of capacity building efforts and the introduction of improved equipments,

which are expected to result in quantitative as well as qualitative advances of the seed production. The

so far achieved, preliminary average increase in seed production has been estimated at 20-25%.

Preliminary MoA records of qualitative improvements indicate that the percentage of seed passing

international quality standards increased from 13 to 20%. Unquote


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Review:

a. In DPRK, the seed sector has made impressive progress in quantity of seed production. There has

been also a steady improvement in the quality of seeds particularly after inception of seed project, but

still there is long way to go to maintain the quality of seeds.

b. The monitoring and evaluation of the project was undertaken regularly at different levels, involving

project management, regular periodic project review by UNDP, technical support from Lead Technical

Unit from FAO Regional Office, Office of FAO Representation (FAOR) and the Project Board (PB) that

held five meetings for critical review of the project.

A.3.5. Follow-up Actions:

a. Seed Quality: The essence of any seed programme consists in quality control and seed is different from grain

only if certain qualities which are important from the point of view of genetic purity are preserved carefully. The

seed programme without quality control will result in failure. Therefore, it requires utmost attention and follow-up.

Under a typical seed generation chain, breeder seed is multiplied from nucleolus seed. However, it is

observed that sometime breeder seed is multiplied in bulk from breeder seed itself for several

generations. Similarly foundation seed is supposed to be multiplied from breeder seed but instances

are there when it is multiplied from foundation seed itself till seed physically looks fine. The practice of

bulk increase of breeder seed and unlimited multiplication cycles of foundation seed without going

back to breeder seed may seriously affect the quality of seed and should be discontinued. Standard

procedures for breeder seed production required to be laid down for each crop and multiplication of

foundation seed should be restricted to only two generations only i.e., foundation seed stage-I and

foundation seed stage-II as specified in the seed certification standards.

b. Second Phase of the Project: The project was completed on 31st October, 2014. Many positive

things are happening in seed sector. However, these successes are not enough, there is still long way

to go. FAO and MoA will not be in position to carry out the most needed activities related to seed after

closure of the project. In order to carry the efforts of this completed project to a logical conclusion and

also to provide a basis for sustainability as well as a good exit strategy for both the donor and FAO,

Phase II should be designed as soon as possible to cover actions required for sustainable

development of seed sector.

B. GOVERNMENT ATTENTION

Specific Findings and Recommendations for Government Attention: It is well established that

technology comprising improved method of farming, use of hybrid seeds and efficient use of fertilizers

etc. have enhanced the crop yield universally. Good seed of good varieties plays an important role.

As a matter of fact good quality seed of superior varieties is the best and the cheapest carrier of

improved farm technologies. Sustained increase in production and productivity is dependent, to a

large extent, on development of new and improved varieties of crops. It has become evident that in

order to increase the food production more effort will be required to enhance the seed production of

hybrid rice and introduction of hybrid maize varieties which have perfect crop-weather modelling. This

would require more financial resources.


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C. Major Activities Carried Out by the Project

C.1. Introduction:

C.1.1. Background: The DPR Korea has had mixed experience in its quest to achieve food security.

One of the factors constraining the country‟s efforts has been lack of good quality seeds. The seed

multiplication sub sector is faced with weak research and extension culture, low level of awareness

among farmers and poor technology applications. All these have adversely affected efforts to increase

agricultural productivity and improving rural livelihoods in a sustainable manner. To address this,

UNDP and the government of DPRK collaborated to design and implement interventions to support

quality seed multiplication (improved quality and variety), capacity enhancement at the farm level,

providing appropriate technology and seed management skills and policy review and, reform with a

bid to increase productivity and food availability in an ecologically sustainable manner for sustainable

rural livelihoods.

In DPR Korea, the production of nucleolus/breeder and foundation/certified seed relies on the

Academy of Agricultural Sciences (AAS) and cooperative foundation and certified seed farms, both

are involved in an integrated seed production chain. Academy of Agricultural Sciences (AAS)

produces nucleus and breeder seeds in small quantities and breeder seed is multiplied on 25

cooperative foundation seed farms to produce foundation seed. Foundation seeds are then multiplied

at 240 cooperative certified seed farms for the production of certified seed. Certified seeds are usually

those destined for commercial distribution to large numbers of farmers on a regional and national

basis for the purpose of crop production on more than 3,500 cooperative farms.

For ensuring the quality of seeds there is a separate Central Seed Inspection Centre in Pyongyang.

International Organizations like Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and EUPS

Unit 4 (Welt Hunger Hilfe) are helping to develop well equipped seed quality laboratory at the centre.

The centre has more than 46 experts working in different branches. It has 10 provincial seed

inspection centres to deal with quality control of seed in the field.

C.1.2. Agriculture in DPRK, a Snapshot: Agriculture sector, including forestry and fisheries, is the

mainstay of the national economy of DPR Korea. With its contribution to the total GDP of the order of

20 percent and engagement of 36% its workforce, the agriculture sector holds prominent importance

for food and livelihood security and socio economic well being of the people. However, the sector is

seized with many challenges. Its inconsistent and vulnerable performance and the resultant impact on

the economic and social distributive gains in terms of food and nutrition security of the people is a

cause of concern. The main factors leading to this concerning situation are adverse topography,

inclement weather, climatic aberrations and restricted farming opportunity in the country.

Based on the Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission‟s (CFSAM, 2013) estimate, total food

requirement of DPR Korea stands at 5.37 million tonnes of cereal equivalent (rice in milled terms).

Further, Mission estimates a cereal import requirement of 340,000 tonnes for the 2013/14 marketing

year (November/October). Assuming the official import target of 300,000 tonnes of cereals is met, the

Mission estimates an uncovered food deficit of 40,000 tonnes for the current marketing year. This

food gap is the narrowest in many years, and is mainly due to the higher 2013 production. Despite the

improved harvest, the food security situation remains similar to previous years with most households

having borderline and poor food consumption.

The estimated vegetable production comes to 0.45 million tonnes assuming average productivity of

15 tonnes/ha from an area of 30,000 ha against the requirement of 2.50 million tonnes of vegetables


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based on minimum dietary requirement of 300 g vegetables/day/individual. Obviously, there is a gap

of 340,000 tonne in food demand and supply, and 2 million tonnes in case of vegetables.

As per the latest estimates/statistics available, total land area of DPRK is 122,543 square kilometres

of which an estimated 17% i.e. approximately 2 million hectares is arable land under cooperative

farms. Rice, maize and potato constitute the major food crops of DPRK. Of these rice and maize,

DPRK‟s major staple food crops, contribute respectively 45 and 34 percent to country‟s food grain

production. Self-sufficiency in food production is a national priority. To achieve self-sufficiency in food

production a major share has to come from rice and maize crops.

There has been degradation in the natural resource base. DPR Korea is one of the countries

experiencing the impact of climatic changes. DPRK‟s agriculture today is at the crossroads from

ecological, economic, and equity standpoints. Thanks to tools continuously being provided by modern

technology, there is a unique opportunity to build a new agricultural production system, based on

harmony among the different goals and components of the system. Considering the future challenges,

alternatives need to be thought of and devised to address them adequately. Accordingly, the options

should be sustainable i.e., economically viable and ecologically sound in nature, to qualify for

selection and subsequent adoption. Thus increasing the food production per unit of land through

better natural resource management is perhaps one of the best options and the ways to salvage the

food, nutrient and livelihood security. The conclusion is clear that fighting food and nutritional

insecurity makes sense not only as an expression of a basic human right, but also because it is a

good economic investment.

C.1.3. Planting and Harvesting Time (Source: Cooperative Farm Managers):

Cereal crops:

S. No

Crop

Planting/sowing

time

Harvesting time

01 Rice June October/November

02 Maize April September

03 Wheat November June

04 Barley November June/July

Vegetable crops:

Crop Nursery Sowing Transplanting Harvesting time Yield potential

(tons/ha)

Cabbage Middle of Feb Mid-March End of May to early

June

40

Eggplant Early Feb End of April to end of May Middle of July to

end of October

30

Cucumber End of April End of May Middle of June to

end of July

50

Spinach - Direct sowing-end of Sep Early May 40

For vegetable seed crops:

Crop Nursery sowing Transplanting Seed harvesting Seed yield

(kg/ha)

Cabbage Middle of Feb End of March Early June 650 (hybrid

seed)

Spinach - Direct sowing-end of Sep End of June 700 (OP seed)

Radish Early Feb End of March Early July 500 )hybrid

seed)


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Cucumber Early April Early May Early August 100 (OP seed)

Pumpkin Early April Early May Early August 100 (OP seed)

Lettuce Early Feb End of March Middle July 200 (OP seed)

C.1.4. Major Problems of Seed Sector: The government carries all the load of seed sector

development. Under such a situation sometime seed programme may face competition for local funds

and foreign exchange. Seed growing, harvesting, processing, treating and storage are specialized

operations and require equipment that may not be common in grain farming. Therefore, availability of

enough resources is very important issue. The major problems being faced by the seed programme

are flagged below:

i. Most of the equipment needed cannot be purchased locally and import is unavoidable.

ii. Unfortunately, during import large selection is not available and equipment of high standard and

quality from industrialized countries could not be imported.

iii. The seed-growing institutions do not have sufficient resources to support, renovate and

rehabilitate essential infrastructure.

iv. Shortage of specialized machinery and equipment.

v. Insufficient availability of fuel, spare parts, fertilizer and chemicals/reagents.

vi. Lack of premises, buildings and equipment for drying, processing, treating and safe storage of the

seed.

vii. Timeliness of operations is vital to the success of every aspect of the seed programme. Thus, it is

extremely important that funds be available when they are needed.

viii. Insufficient support to seed sector causing a vicious circle: less of support leads to less production

of quality seed and low yields. It has very strong bearing on the food production and self

sufficiency.

C.2. Technical Support on “Basic Strategy of Seed Production”: Project staff visited seeds farms

and had informal and formal meetings/discussions several times with concerned Government officials

to provide technical support on „basic strategy of seed production”. The basic strategy should be

comprehensive in scope and should provide for the adequate development of the physical

infrastructure and the various facilities required for producing and marketing/distributing high quality

seed. This involves six principles.

i. Integrated development: The production of quality seeds is possible only when all necessary

inputs are made available to seed growers and all development works e.g., land levelling,

development of irrigation resources, etc., for raising an excellent crop are carried out at the seed

producer‟s farm.

ii. Compact area approach: While developing seed programme, the seed production should be

concentrated in compact areas of seed production farms suitable for high quality but low cost

seed production.

iii. Organisation of production: In DPRK context, seed production is organized through Academy of

Agricultural Science (AAS), Cooperative Seed Farms, and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

iv. Criteria for site selection: In selecting suitable sites for seed production the following criteria

should be observed:

a. The area selected for development of seed programmes must have favourable agronomic

conditions for high quality seed production, preferably in more than one season, as well as

favourable conditions for seed storage.


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b. Given the need for maximising seed multiplication ratios, the area must have the proven

ability to produce crops with well-above-average yields. Areas with assured irrigation should

be preferred.

v. Technical guidance: The association or active involvement of the agricultural universities/research

institutes with seed programmes should be preferred because they are the sources of (a)

breeding and screening of new varieties; (b) multiplication of nucleus/breeder‟s and foundation

seed; (c) technical guidance; and (d) can help the programmes by providing service facilities.

vi. Choice of varieties: Only truly superior varieties adapted to the agro-climatic conditions of the

selected area for seed production should be selected, and for which cultivator demands exists, or is

being generated through constant efforts.

C.3. Co-ordination/Consultation Process with Cooperative Farms and Stakeholders: An

essential guiding principle for the implementation of the Project was the full involvement of

cooperative farms and concerned stakeholders, through all stages from conception and planning to

implementation and monitoring. Such participation is important, not only as a globally accepted best

practice, but also because the cooperative farms in DPRK demand a local approach. The Project

therefore emphasizes on appropriate approaches that: (i) ensure that cooperative farms are involved

at all stages of the project management cycle; (ii) build trust within cooperative farmers‟ communities

through transparency and equity; (iii) listen to the views of farmers; (iv) “build back better” to reduce

farmers vulnerability to future long dry spell and floods; and (v) sustain participatory self-monitoring

and evaluation systems.

The general organizational pattern of the country‟s government and tradition affect the organizational

structure of the seed programme. The Ministry of Agriculture has the main responsibility for ensuring

that there is a healthy seed production programme that meets the needs of the farmers. The following

organizations of the GoDPRK are responsible for variety release and registration, seed production

and quality control:

Organizational Chart

Organization/Institute Seed Supply System/

Activities and Responsibilities

Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)

State Variety Comparison and

Test Committee

Registration of varieties.

-variety testing and adaptive trials in-country

-variety release/description/recommendation

Academy of Agricultural

Sciences(AAS)

32 different research institutes

-Rice Research Institute

-Maize Research Institute

-Central Veg. Institute

-Potato Research Institute

-variety breeding and

development.

-variety maintenance by

breeder.

-variety sourcing

-line selection/variety

development in-country.

-breeder seed production.

- training.

Seed Production Dept, MoA Seed Production Division

25 Foundation Seed Farms

240 Certified seed farms

-central production/stock

records and allocation.

Foundation and certified seed

production.

-quality control.


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Central Seed Inspection Centre 10 Provincial Seed Inspection

Centres

-crop inspection.

-seed testing.

-labelling/certification.

Beside this project, few International NGOs are also involved in seed production activities as a part of

their larger agricultural programme. The multiplicity of donor agencies dealing in such a vital aspect of

agriculture is certainly to be welcomed. It would be difficult to lay down rigidly the precise task of each

agency and to enforce the same. However, to avoid overlapping of activities and wastage of

resources, it is necessary to demarcate the roles of these agencies in the seed development

programme and adhere to such demarcation as far as possible. For this purpose an Agricultural

Coordination Group has been constituted. Food security information and assessment is undoubtedly

a domain where FAO is recognized to have a comparative advantage. The project CTA always

provided technical input for the benefit of the group. The meetings are held regularly to discuss the

agricultural activities being carried out by each agency.

In principle, the task of all concerned government institutions namely: Academy of Agricultural

Sciences(AAS), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and 265 cooperative seed farms is to provide to the

farmers high quality seed of the best varieties bringing the fruits of research to the farmers‟ doors in

the quickest possible time. The project played an important role in realising this goal. The project was

designed to ensure that the seed that was produced at three major foundation seed farms was of

assured quality, genetically and physically pure, and was made available to certified seed farms in

good condition.

C.4. Equipments, Machineries and Infrastructures: It is difficult if not impossible to operate a good

seed programme without installing proper seed facilities and starting them operating. Seed drying,

processing, testing and treating operations need such facilities in working order. The absence of

proper seed drying facility on all three seed farms is a major source of concern. There is a feeling,

that creation of proper seed drying facilities should be first priority. For various reasons it was not so

practical to install artificial drying facilities but construction of seed drying floor to dry seeds under

natural conditions was equally important to improve the quality of seed. Usually, seed is harvested at

higher moisture level to minimize the post harvest losses through shattering or bird damage, etc. In

such cases the moisture must be brought down to 12-14 per cent within a few days. Even with crops

which are harvested at lower moisture percentages, it would be better to dry them quickly so that the

seed stocks could be processed without any delay and the risk of contamination, etc., kept to the

minimum. Therefore, construction of threshing -cum- seed drying floor was an important activity of the

project. The seed processing and packaging facilities also need major improvement. The main

objective of seed processing is to preserve the viability of the seeds from harvesting till sowing. For

this, suitable seed processing equipment of standard quality are needed.

C.4.1. Equipments and Machineries: Project provided the following farm equipments and

machineries to 3 seed farms and 1 seed testing laboratory supported by the project. In addition,

project staff visited very frequently seed farms and seed lab and provided technical support for proper

use of equipments and machineries. The details of equipments and machineries provided by the

project are attached as annex - II.

Major Farm Machineries provided to Seed Farms and Seed Testing Laboratory:

S.N. Item Description Unit

1. Tractor, 4wd, 75 hp, Foton-754 with spare parts 3

2. Spring tine cultivator for 75 hp tractor 3

3. Tripping trailer, 4 wheeled 3

4. Mould board plough, 3-furrows 3


17

5. Light truck, 2 ton capacity, FAW 4

6. Seed cleaner 3

7. Wet seed extractor for fruits & vegetables 3

8. Platform weighing scale 3

9. Seed lab equipments 4 sets

10. Bag stitching machine 3

11. Fibre drum to store breeder and foundation seeds 100

12. Water pumps to save seed plots from long dry spell 5

13. Maize Sheller 3

14. Mobile Thresher 3

15. Plastic Pallets 100

16. Rice Transplanter 9

17. Digital Grain Moisture Meter 18

18. Knap sack sprayers 30

19. Installation of dehumidifier and cooling unit at Seed Store 1complete set

20. 2WD Farm Walking Tractor, 12 HP and its accessories

namely, trailer, plough, and rotary tiller

3

Brief description of major equipments/machineries and their importance:

a. Plastic Pallets: Project constructed one Seed Store and project had provision to procure 100

locally made wooden pallets. After analysis all the relevant factors namely, cost-effectiveness, easily

availability, durability, environment friendliness, etc., project decided to procure plastic pallets instead

of wooden pallets. Plastic pallets were easily available in Pyongyang, DPRK.

Technical specifications of plastic pallets suitable for the storage of seed and food commodities:

Dimension: 1200 x 1000 x 150 mm; Material: High density polyethylene (HDPE); Colour: Black; Load

Capacity: Static: 5000 kg, Dynamic: 1000 kg, Racking System: 400 kg.

Allotment: Maekjon Foundation Farm – 50, Unpa Certified Farm – 25, and Daesong Certified Farm –

25.

b. Rice Transplanter: Project had provision to procure some small equipments/machineries locally

fabricated/assembled like drum seed treater, simple seed cleaner, thresher, corn sheller, rice

transplanter, etc. Modernization of agriculture requires appropriate matching machinery for ensuring

timely field operations and effective application of agricultural inputs. It also requires machinery for

reducing drudgery in agriculture. Considering need, project procured 9 rice transplanters. Seeds

farms are unable to transplant rice on time mainly due to availability of limited farm machineries and

workers. The seedling age is mainly depends upon duration of variety. Short duration varieties (120

days) are to be uprooted at 23-25 days age and planted. At this stage the seedling should have 4-5

leaves to carryout photosynthesis. The medium and long duration varieties can be planted at the age

of 30 days without any yield losses. While only 8-12 days young seedlings with low plant density (25

cm x 25 cm) are recommended using System of Rice Intensification (SRI).

Allotment:

a. Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong county, Pyongyang – 3 units,

b. Daesong Certified Seed Farm, Sukchon county, South Pyongan – 3 units, and

c. Up Certified Seed Farm, Unpa county, North Hwanghae – 3 units.


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c. Digital Grain Moisture Meter: Moisture content of seeds is one of the most important factors in the

maintenance of seed quality. From the time of harvest to time of planting, seed moisture varies and if

it rises above certain critical levels for any appreciable time period at any stage there is danger of

undesirable stimulation of physiological processes within the seed with consequent deterioration and

loss of seed viability. Knowledge of moisture content, therefore is needed to decide whether seeds

should be dried down before storage or shipment and to determine proper conditions of storage.

Seed farms were very much in need of moisture meter to measure moisture percentage of

seeds/grains. Every year, the country‟s seed industry suffers significant losses due to improper and

inadequate drying of the seed. For instance, newly harvested high moisture paddy (20-26%) must be

dried down to a level of 14%, wet basis. Drying of seed lots, i.e., lowering down the seed moisture

content to safe moisture limit is very important in order to maintain seed viability and vigour, which

may otherwise deteriorate fast due to mould growth, heating and increased micro-organism activity.

The other advantages of seed drying are:

i. Permits early harvest;

ii. Permits long-term storage;

iii. Permits more efficient use of land and man power;

iv. Permits use of plant stalks as green fodder; and

v. Permits seed farms to sell/distribute a better quality product.

Allotment: 6 units/farm; 6 units x 3 seed farms = total 18 units.

d. Knap Sack Sprayer: Knapsack hand sprayer, manual, 20 litres capacity are easy to be used for

agricultural purpose. The same kind of 9 knapsack sprayers was procured in 2012. Beneficiaries were

very much satisfied with the performance of this kind of sprayer. Considering need at field level and

availability of budget, 3rd

Project Board meeting recommended to procure additional 30 same kind of

knap sack sprayers with basic spare parts. Nowadays battery operated knapsack is also available

which is more convenient to use. However, it will be very difficult to repair in DPR Korea when it will

get out of order. So, it was better to go for manual sprayer. CTA had seen the use of both kinds of

sprayers in NRS, Myanmar in 2010 during campaign to control Army Worm in rice crop and it was

found that manual knap sack sprayer was more durable than battery operated ones.

Basic Guidelines for Maintenance: Project trained concerned Team Leaders of Work Teams on

maintenance. In fact, modern knapsack sprayers are designed for ease of service and maintenance.

Only a few simple rules are needed to keep the equipment in top condition. These include:

i. reading the service manual to check for any specific service requirement of equipment,

ii. at the end of each spraying job, thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the sprayer,

disassemble it, and clean each part meticulously,

iii. check for wear and correct fitting of "O" rings (it may even be advisable to have a few spare "O"

rings on hand), and

iv. complete the service by reassembling the unit and returning it to storage. Sprayers should not be

left out in the sun, as the ultra-violet radiation harms the plastic and shortens its useful life.

Allotment: Maekjon Foundation Farm – 13, Unpa Certified Farm – 13, and Daesong Certified Farm –

13.


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e. Installation of Dehumidifier with Cooling Unit at Seed Store: Installation of dehumidifier along

with cooling unit particularly at Maekjon Foundation Seed Store was the most practical and cost-

effective measure in DPRK. Pyongyang has a humid continental climate. Cold, dry winds can blow

from Siberia in winter, making conditions very cold; the low temperature is usually below freezing

between November and early March, although the average daytime high is a few degrees above

freezing point in every month except January. The winter is generally much drier than summer, with

snow falling for 37 days on average. The transition from the cold, dry winter to the warm, wet summer

occurs rather quickly between April and early May, and there is a similar abrupt return to winter

conditions in late October and November. Summers are generally hot and humid, with the East Asian

monsoon taking place from June until August; these are also the hottest months, with average

temperatures of 21 to 25°C (70 to 77° F), and daytime highs often above 30° C (86° F). The average

temperature during winter period is -20o

C. While the required temperature and humidity inside seed

store are -5o C to 5

o C and 20-30 % respectively.

Benefits of Dehumidification:

i. Extended Storage Life: Seedsmen report a tripling of storage life in the low relative humidity

environment provided by dehumidifiers.

ii. Improved Indoor Air Quality: When fungus is eliminated, the working environment for the

employees improves dramatically. Dry environments can reduce the microbiological growth to

less than 1/10th of the growth in a similar humid building.

iii. Insure Safe Cold Storage: Seeds last longer at low temperatures. Because dehumidifiers work

equally well at high and low temperatures, one can store seeds at any temperature without having

to worry about high humidity.

iv. Avoid Costly Re-Packaging: Since desiccant dehumidifiers prevent moisture regain, there is no

need to invest time and money to repackage seeds in vapour-tight bags. Producers can literally

save thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours annually.

v. Reduce Winter Heating Bills: Storing seeds at low relative humidity saves energy, extends seed

life and prevents storage losses.

vi. The low temperature capability of desiccant dehumidifiers allows one to turn off the heat in the

storage facility completely, and still maintain control of the relative humidity in the space. There is

no need to heat the building to control humidity or prevent condensation. Desiccant dehumidifiers

take care of the problem much more efficiently than a heater.

vii. Since desiccant dehumidifiers will not freeze, they work as effectively in winter as in summer to

protect stored seeds. Desiccant dehumidifiers can insure a reliable, efficient, low humidity

environment.

C.4.2. Infrastructure Development:

a. Seed Storage: The safe storage of seeds is important for several reasons. Seed viability must also

be protected (germplasm protection) for various uses by the plant scientists who maintain a

permanent reservoir of seed stock by establishing a seed bank. Some of the factors affecting the final

quality of the seeds are:

i. Treatment during harvesting,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humid_continental_climate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_High

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Asian_monsoon




20

ii. Type of processing,

iii. Method of drying, and

iv. Environmental control during storage, particularly temperature and relative humidity.

Storage conditions depend on the projected future use of the seed. Seed storage has certain

requirements which include protection from water, contamination, rodents, fungi, fire etc. However,

relative humidity and temperature are the most critical aspects to keep in mind during storage. The

two are actually interrelated. In short term storage their relationship can be expressed by a simple rule

of thumb. Storage temperature (in deg. F) plus relative humidity should total 100. For instance, 60°F

at 40% RH or 55°F at 45% RH or 65°F at 35% RH. In most cases the dew point to be maintained

inside corresponds to approximately 35°F. This is a good design condition for short-term storage.

Seed storage facilities protect a very large investment. The costs of seeds are high, and in research

applications, the seeds may be irreplaceable at any cost. Thousands of dollars and hours of costly

effort can be lost at a single stroke when fungus and mould attack seeds in storage. Too much

moisture in the seeds in combination with warm temperatures provide an ideal environment for

microbiological growth.

Considering above circumstances, Project constructed a Seed Store of 50 MT capacity at Maekjon

Foundation Seed farm. In addition, dehumidifier with air cooling system was installed.

b. Construction of Greenhouse: The project has provision to construct altogether 20 greenhouses

at 3 seed farms. The CTA along with senior national staff visited several models of greenhouses in

the country. Considering cost-effectiveness, durability and need, the most suitable 2 models were

selected.

Model 1: Greenhouse, one side with concrete wall and the rest of surface with vinyl sheet – 6 units, 2

greenhouses/seed farm, and

Model 2: Greenhouse without concrete wall - 6 units, 2 greenhouses/seed farm.

c. Threshing cum Drying Floor: Project constructed 8 units of cemented threshing cum seed drying

floors (1,000 m2) with galvanized iron sheeting for roof in threshing area and open area for drying. To

protect seed during open air storage on these floors some improved practices were introduced. To

reduce dampness penetration from the ground into seed, the seed threshing cum seed drying floor

was built up to ensure that it is above the surrounding land. A concrete slab was built to reduce insect

infestation from the ground and to reduce admixture of debris when the seed is collected. Moisture

proof polypropylene tarpaulins under the seed prevented penetration of moisture from the ground.

Covering the seed with a water proof water shedding covering during rains and at night to prevent

condensation of dew on the seed retarded the increase of moisture in the seed during high humid

times.

d. Drying Facility: Total 3 units of Drying Facilities (roof surface: 127 M2, and surface paved yard:

400 M2) with transparent roof were constructed. Beneficiaries – 3 Cooperative Farms repeatedly

requested to construct Drying Facilities. Unavailability of Drying Facility is one of the major constraints

to produce good quality seeds. First post-harvest project constructed 2 Drying Facilities which are

very useful and very much liked by cooperative farms. It is very simple and most suitable design with

concrete floor and transparent shading. Considering the need at field level and cost-effectiveness in

DPRK context, second Project Board meeting suggested and approved to construct altogether 3

Drying Facilities for 3 seed farms (1 at each farm). Savings from non-expendable items and trainings

were used for this purpose.


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Impacts: The seed lots usually are at high moisture content at the time of harvesting and threshing.

In order to preserve seed viability and vigour it is necessary to dry seeds to safe moisture content

levels.

i. Drying of seeds to safe moisture limits is relatively faster than before.

ii. Less mechanical mixture since it is easier to clean the concrete floor than non-concrete floor.

iii. Easy to protect seed from rain under transparent roof.

iv. Transparent roof also allows sunshine.

C.5. Seed Quality Control: The Project supported in the following major control measures to control

the quality of seed multiplication and production:

i. An administrative check on the origin of propagating material for the purposes of determining

trueness to varietal purity (genetic purity).

ii. Field inspection – An evaluation of the growing crop for obtaining data on trueness to varietal

purity, isolation of seed crop to prevent cross pollination, mechanical admixtures, and disease

dissemination; and crop conditions as regards diseases, objectionable weeds and admixtures.

iii. Supervision of agricultural and commercial operations of harvesting, storage, transport and

processing with a view to preserving the identity and quality of the lots.

iv. Sample inspection – An evaluation of the planting quality by a laboratory test of a representative

sample drawn by the certification agency that aims at determining the percentage of germination,

moisture content, weed-seed content, admixture and purity.

v. Bulk inspection – An evaluation of the lot for the purpose of checking homogeneity of the bulk as

compared with the sample inspected.

Genetic Purity: The Project provided the following technical supports for maintaining genetic purity:

i. Providing adequate isolation to prevent contamination by natural crossing or mechanical mixtures.

ii. Roguing of seed fields prior to the stage at which they could contaminate the seed crop.

iii. Periodic testing of varieties for genetic purity.

iv. Avoiding genetic shifts by growing crops in areas of their adaptation only.

v. Certification of seed crops to maintain genetic purity and quality of seed.

vi. Adopting the seed generation system.

vii. Grow out tests.

C.6. Decentralization of the Seed Production Programme: It is high time to decentralize seed

production particularly certified seeds in isolated areas. Accordingly, decentralization of the seed

production was supported. At the same time, the centralized approach was also supported for

concentration of the seed production, processing and storage in the most favourable areas from the

point of view of agro-climatic conditions, high yields, and the provision of the technical services of the

highest order with large-sized modern processing plants. In DPRK context, the above approach

seems more practical and cost-effective.

C.7. Production of Various Classes of the Seed and Maintenance of Seed Generation Chain:

Production of all classes of seed in desired quantities, namely, breeder seed (BS), foundation seed (FS)

and certified seed (CS) is imperative to make the seed programme successful. Project explored to

support a fail-safe strategy for production of various classes of seed which involves decentralized


22

production and buffer stocking of adequate quantity. But, project faced constraint mainly due to limitation

of resources.

C.8. Drought, Flood and Seeds: Generally the normality of the monsoon is usually measured by the

quantity of rainfall received and not by the pattern of its distribution. However, it is inter-spell duration

that determines the destiny of crops and not just total rainfall. In several parts of the DPRK, there may

be drought in the early part of the monsoon period and floods later. As a result, the visit of drought

relief teams is followed by the visit of flood relief teams to the same area. Both drought and floods

have been subjects of study by numerous committees during the last few decades. Yet, even now

farm families face the same old problems because of lack of proactive and preventive measures.

As soon as the media draws attention to such acute distress in rural areas, the response is the same

– Relief teams are sent out, senior officers‟ visit, and relief packages are announced and distributed.

There is a better way of dealing with this chronic human tragedy. It is high time to go for the

development and implementation of drought, flood and good weather codes designed to enhance

capacity to minimize the adverse impact of aberrant monsoon behaviour on the one hand, and to

maximize the benefits of a good monsoon, on the other. As food grain reserves are essential for food

security, seed reserves are essential for crop security. Farmers often need seeds of food crops such

as short duration cereals, millet, pulses, and fodder crops. Feasible crop life saving techniques should

also be used. In flood affected areas, the cultivation of sweet potato, 60 days maize and other food

crops are preferred, after the floods recede. Sweet potato, which grows well in flood prone plains, also

strengthens household nutrition security. Such desirable adjustments in cropping systems will be

possible on a large scale only if advance preparations had been made to preserve and provide the

seeds and planting material for alternative cropping strategies to suit different weather probabilities.

The flood-prone plains also offer opportunities for using the saturated aquifer for minor irrigation

during the dry season.

C.9. Support for System of Rice Intensification (SRI): SRI is one of the major technologies to

increase the seed production as well as to decrease the requirement of the seed. SRI technology

requires 60-80 % less rice seeds, 20-25 % less nitrogen fertilizer and chemicals than normal

cultivation while increasing 10-15 % of productivity. It helps to control pests and diseases (such as

sheath blight, golden snail, root rots, etc.) while strengthening resistance to pathogens, and as a

result, reducing costs of pesticide. It saves about one third of water use compared to traditional

practices. Methane emissions from an SRI field is estimated to be one quarter of a non-SRI field.

Rice is a staple food crop and is widely grown in DPRK. Its planting area is 563,200 ha with an

average yield of 4.7 t/ha. Although rice has 38.5% of national total food crop planting area, it

contributes 50.8% of national total food production due to its relatively higher yield compared with

other food crops. Rice is very important crop for national food security and increasing farmers‟ income

in the country. With the limitations of technology and shortages of farming supplies, especially

fertilizer, such as potassium and phosphorus fertilizers which are essential for rice, and also due to

frequent disaster damage, rice yield is unstable and has declined in recent years even though some

high-yielding varieties are available. It is urgent to transform rice production with System of Rice

Intensification (SRI) to increase rice yield in the sustainable way.

Although some principles of SRI have already contributed to yield increase in some farms in the

country, integrated rice cultivation techniques needs to be modified to match the local rice

environment and production conditions in DPRK. Also key components of SRI need to be adapted for

use under DPRK circumstances. The gaps that need to be filled in SRI knowledge and practice are

suitable varieties, seedling-raising in upland seedbed, reasonable plant density, use of green manure

and recycling of rice straw, intermittent irrigation, and balanced fertilization (integrated nutrient


23

management). The development of a new integrated rice cultivation technique with SRI practices will

strengthen the professional research and extension ability for improving the rice sector.

C.10. Support to Mitigate Impacts of Dry Spell: Dry spell occurrence was more frequent for crop

cultivated on soil with low water-holding capacity than on high water-holding capacity. Upgrading

current farming system through Supplementary Irrigation (SI) and fertilizer can be viable and

sustainable way to improve livelihood security for smallholder cooperative farmers in a long-term

perspective.

Drought, floods, cyclones, typhoons, hailstorms, frost, dew and snowfall influence crop production to

varying degrees. Of all these phenomena, widespread long dry spell and drought historically had the

most detrimental effect. Water deficiency has had a much greater impact on agricultural production

than water excess.

Recommendations:

i. Good forecasts of rainfall, both of quantity and distribution, are needed for agriculture in the short,

medium, and long term, particularly during the rainy season. Both probabilistic and dynamic

forecasting methods should be further developed.

ii. The dialogue between meteorologists and agriculturists and soil scientists must continue and

FAO and donor agencies should be encouraged to support this activity, e.g., by setting up special

training programs on meteorological applications for agriculturists.

iii. Better communication and exchange of information in this area should be set up between

developed (high technology) and developing countries, e.g., through exchange visits and

symposia. Up-gradation of competence of human resource is crucial.

C.11. Environmental Sustainability: The following basic principles were kept in mind to achieve

success in promoting environmental sustainability:

i. Integrated systems of nutrient supply: include crop rotations, green manures and compost. It

reduces the need of chemical fertilizers to some extent.

ii. Water: The most cost-effective technology namely black and rice straw mulching introduced and

popularized to conserve the soil moisture.

iii. Genetic diversity: Genetic diversity and location-specific varieties are essential for achieving

sustainable advances in productivity.

iv. Integrated pest management: decreased the use of chemical pesticides.

v. Construction of threshing cum drying yards and seed stores: Introduced drying and storage

techniques are such that they don‟t only make much demand on non-renewable sources of

energy but they also prevent quantitative and qualitative damage to farm products.

vi. Location-specific research and development: A fundamental requirement for sustainability is

participatory research and training. This calls for new patterns of organisation of research, with

scientists and cooperative farm families becoming partners in the development and dissemination

of new technologies.


24

C.12. Capacity Building: A major role of the project was to establish the linkages between scientific

know-how and field level (cooperative farms) do-how. For this purpose, project‟s activities were linked

with Academy of Agricultural Science (AAS), Pyongyang Agricultural Campus (PAC), Seed

Management Department and so on. However, capacity building is a challenging and interesting task

since the content of the capacity building has to be dynamic, demand driven, locally relevant, specific

and in Korean language.

Main objectives of the capacity building:

i. The dissemination of useful and practical information related to seed,

ii. The practical application of useful knowledge and skill to farm and home, and

iii. To get feedback from the concerned people about the technology transferred to them.

Major activities carried out: The following activities were carried out by СТА, International

Consultants (ICs), National Consultant (NC) – Seed Production, senior staffs of Seed Management

Department, Master Trainers and participants returned from abroad study tours depending on nature

of the training.

i. Seed seminar: Seed Programme development, seed legislation, seed policy

issues and planning of seed production. For technicians and extension of staff of Seed

Department of MOA, Project Managers from institutions participating in project, selected

managers of seed farms, in charge of Central Seed Inspection Centre and selected managers of

Provincial Crop Inspection Centers. 15 participants for 3 days, no. of training – 1.

ii. Training workshop on maintenance breeding and breeder seed production for professionals from

the 3 seed farms and provincial seed inspection centre. 15 participants for 3 days, no. of training

– 1.

iii. Training workshop on cereal seed multiplication. Participants from the 3 farms and provincial seed

inspection centre under the project. 15 participants for 3 days, no. of training – 1.

iv. Two training workshop on vegetable seed production including hybrid seed production of

vegetables using handouts prepared in advance in consultation with CTA and IC – Vegetable

Seed Production. Two trainings of 5 days duration with 15 participants from seed farms and

provincial seed inspection centre in each training.

v. Training workshop on seed quality control (field inspection and seed testing).

Participants 15 for 5 days. Participants from the 3 farms and provincial seed inspection centre

under the project.

vi. Training Workshop to strengthen counterpart capacity to implement selected project components.

vii. Two training workshops on maintenance breeding and breeders seed production of cereals and

vegetable seeds using handouts prepared in advance in consultation with CTA and IC – Plant

Breeder. Two trainings of 5 days duration with 15 participants from seed farms and provincial

seed inspection centre in each training.

viii. Two training workshops on cereals seed production (foundation and certified seed) using

handouts prepared in advance in consultation with CTA and IC – Cereal Seed Production. Two

trainings of 5 days duration with 15 participants from seed farms and provincial seed inspection

centre in each training.


25

ix. Two training workshop on vegetable seed production including hybrid seed production of

vegetables using handouts prepared in advance in consultation with CTA and IC – Vegetable

Seed Production. Two trainings of 5 days duration with 15 participants from seed farms and

provincial seed inspection centre in each training.

x. Two training workshops on field inspection and seed testing of cereals, vegetables and others

crops in collaboration with central seed inspection centre using handouts prepared in advance in

consultation with CTA and NPD. Four trainings of 5 days duration with 15 participants from seed

farms and provincial seed inspection centre in each training.

xi. Farmer's field days were organized on farmers' field demonstrations supported by project.

Roughly 50 farmers/cooperative farm staffs participated in each field day.

a. Agricultural Extension: Farmers can master new technologies, whether it is vegetable production

or seed production, provided the methodology of training is learning by doing. The project in

collaboration and coordination of relevant Departments conducted a series of trainings.

b. Farmers’ Field Days (FFDs): FFDs were conducted to convince invited farmers and to provide

them with an opportunity of seeing the results of new practices, demonstration of skills, proper use of

irrigation water, etc., and to give them an idea regarding the suitability and application of these

practices in their own fields. FFDs were carried out at cooperative farm level. Accordingly, farmers

and staffs from the neighbouring cooperative farms visited the cooperative farms supported by the

project.

c. Trainings: There was and still remain a significant gap between the “high-tech” operations of the

assistance community and a “no-tech” mode of operation on the ground. To fill the gap as far as

possible, the project carried out some practical oriented trainings on actual need basis. Trainings

were mainly based on the practical principles of learning by doing. Beneficiaries were encouraged to

learn new things by doing themselves and by direct participation. Learning by doing was most

effective in changing the beneficiaries‟ behaviour and developing the confidence to use the new

methods in future. Beneficiaries were encouraged to learn what to do, why to do, how to do and with

what results.

d. Study Tours:

i. Study tour for understanding seed management system and collecting information on modern

seed technology was organized during May 21 – June 09, 2012. The study tour was organized in

conjunction with the Center of International Cooperation Service, MoA of the People‟s Republic of

China, and Institute of Food and Production Development, Kasetsart University Thailand. The

participants consisted of 7 members from the project farms, Pyongyang Agricultural Campus and

concerned officers.

ii. Study tour to acquaint with the multi crop seed programme planning, seed production techniques

for breeder, foundation and certified seed including post harvest handling of seed was organized

during Dec. 26, 2012 to Jan. 14, 2013 in conjunction with the Indian Agricultural Research

Institute New Delhi, India. The participants consisted of 7 members from the project farms,

Pyongyang Agricultural Campus and concerned officers.

iii. Study tour to learn techniques of seed certification and seed quality control system including field

inspection procedures, seed testing techniques including seed health testing for 4 staff of Central

and provincial Seed Inspection Centers for 3 weeks was cancelled as advised by resource

partner – UNDP. Study tour became no-go area for UNDP funded projects.


26

e. Major Reports/Publications:

i. Consultancy Report, 31 pages by Dr. Hari Har Ram, International Consultant – Vegetable Seed

Production, April 08-30, 2012.

ii. Seed Production of Major Vegetable Crops, Principles and Practices, 75 pages by Dr. Hari Har

Ram.

iii. Consultancy Report, 32 pages by Dr. Ram C. Chaudhary, International Consultant – Plant

Breeder, Aug. 05 – 28, 2012.

iv. Maintenance Breeding & Breeder Seed Production in Rice, 12 pages by Dr. Ram C. Chaudhary.

v. Consultancy Report, 92 pages by Dr. N. S. Tunwar, International Consultant – Cereal Seed

Production, Sep. 16 – Oct. 26, 2012.

vi. Maize Breeding and Seed Production Manual, 97 pages by Mr. Bir C. Mandal, CTA, DRK/10/004

and DRK/10/005 projects, FAO DPR Korea.

C.13. Meetings of the Committees: The following meetings were held on need basis until the

completion of the project to carry out the project‟s activities smoothly, nicely and transparently:

i. Local Procurement Committee (LPC),

ii. Technical Working Group (TWG) mainly among concerned staff members of the MoA, AAS and

PAC mainly to discuss technical issues and plan, and

iii. Seed & PHL Consultations Meeting/Discussion with FAO Bangkok mainly through Skype.

C.14. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): The Project‟s Logical Framework Matrix and Operational

Work Plan have been providing time-bound, performance and impact indicators for project

implementation along with their corresponding means of verification. In line with the FAO and UNDP

policy and procedures, monitoring has been done at cooperative farm levels. Six monthly and annual

reports have been sent to the resource partner – UNDP, FAO Representation, FAO RAP Bangkok

and FAO TCSR Rome. The evaluation has brought the achievements against the set target. It has

identified the bottlenecks and possibility of rectification mainly through brainstorming meetings with

UNDP and MoA.

In order to maximize the benefits from the Project, the lessons learned and „good practices‟

developed in seed sector in the project sites were captured and made available to support related

developmental programmes and activities in neighbour counties.

Team Leader, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Programme Analyst, UNDP; Lead Technical Officer,

FAO Bangkok; Coordinator, National Committee for FAO; and National Project Director (NPD) visited

project‟s activities at cooperative farm levels. In addition, Chief Technical Advisor, Assistant FAOR,

Operations Assistant and National Project Coordinator (NPC) visited fields and met concerned staff

members very frequently on need basis. Project staff never faced problems to visit field whenever

need arose.

C.14.1. Evaluation of Seed and Post-harvest Projects: An evaluation of Seed and Post-harvest

projects by an external independent International Consultant was carried out during 27th March to 30

th

April 2014. Work on this evaluation was carried out in two segments: i. a two week field mission to the

Democratic People´s Republic of Korea between 27 March and 10 April 2014, which included


27

meetings in Pyongyang and field visits to six project sites, and ii. desk work for document review and

report writing during the second half of April 2014. The Consultant prepared very precise and

informative Evaluation Report of 69 pages. The relevant conclusions of the report are quoted below:

Quote:

Conclusions: Well designed and executed development assistance in support of improved seed and

post harvest management has the potential to make a very significant difference in the quest towards

achieving sustainable food and nutrition security for the people of the Democratic People´s Republic of

Korea.

The country´s national food balance sheet indicates that the domestic food supply is 340,000 mt below

the anticipated demand during the 2013/2014 marketing year. Given an estimated domestic staple

food production of 5.04 million mt, the deficit is important, but nevertheless not at level that would

make it impossible to reach self-sufficiency. Reaching the national self-sufficiency goal in the DPRK is

however contingent to productivity increases as the available cropping area can´t be expanded much

further.

Better quality seed of improved varieties, made available in sufficient quantities, allows cooperative

farmers to produce on the same surface significantly increased amounts of staple food crops with a

similar level of inputs. Innovation in seed breeding and multiplication is therefore a clear sectoral

priority in DPRK, along with better farming techniques as well as policies to boost double cropping and

improvements in potato and soybean farming.

The “Improved Seed Production for Sustainable Agriculture” project concentrated its support to the

seed sector in DPRK via three seed farms that produce seed of both, staple food and vegetable crops.

Project outputs are a combination of capacity building efforts and the introduction of improved

equipments, which are expected to result in quantitative as well as qualitative advances of the seed

production.

Evaluation findings show that both projects progressed in general satisfactorily towards the delivery of

the planned outputs despite the recorded delays during start-up and parts of 2013, when financial

transaction problems forced the project to put certain activities temporarily on hold. Challenges, in part

caused by weaknesses in project design and the limited availability of data, are mainly related to

monitoring and reporting. Unquote

C.15. Relevant Cross-Cutting Issues: The project has been receiving all-out support from all

concerned Departments of GoDPRK. This is due to most needed support provided by the project, but

is also linked to the presence of respected, well mannered, cooperative and considerate project staffs.

The project paid particular attention to the special needs and vulnerability of women and children

mainly through vegetable and beans production to enhance their nutritional security. The project

provided a strong social support to work teams of cooperative farms (encouraging women to

participate as much as possible in traininig and technical discussion) and to implement a non-

discriminatory approach. Total direct beneficiaries are 10,416 cooperative farmers (Male: 4,848 =

46.54%; Female: 5,568 = 53.45%).

C.16. Project Economic Benefits and Sustainability: It is widely believed that even without any

improvement in the development of higher yielding varieties, it is expected that use of Certified Seed

of the same varieties could increase production by at least 10 %. Seeds were distributed through this in

the area sown under old and traditional varieties. Yield in these areas, is assumed to have declined

considerably over the years due to constant use of seeds of old and degenerated varieties. Thus, there

will be added advantage of at least 20 % simply by the replacement of the old varieties with the new


28

ones. Both the increases are additive. That means an expected advantage of increasing the

production of food crops will be to the tune of at least 30% by the end of the project in project target

areas.

Impacts in terms of area in ha and yield increase in tones:

i. Total area for seed production under project: Paddy: 577 + Non-paddy (maize): 422 = 999 ha

ii. Average yield as per CFSAM 2013 report: Paddy: 5.3 t/ha, and maize: 3.79 t/ha

iii. Estimated seed production: Paddy: 3,058 t, and maize: 1,599 t

iv. Estimated planted area: Paddy: 30,580 (seed rate: 100 kg/ha) and maize: 53,300 (seed rate: 30

kg/ha)

v. Average additional yield from improved seed:

a. Estimated yield from improved seeds: Roughly 20 % more than average yield; 20 % of 5.3 =

1.06 t, 20 % of 3.79 = 0.75 t

b. Additional yield: 30,580 x 1.06 = 32,414 t paddy = 21,393 t rice /year (paddy to rice conversion:

66 %); maize: 53,300 x 0.75 = 39,975 t/year

vi. So, roughly adding 61,368 t cereal/year = cereal for 292,228 persons for 1 year (210

kg/person/yr)

vii. Minimum additional yield from improved seed: Min. 10 % more than average yield = 30,684 t.

cereal adding /year = cereal for 146,114 persons for 1 year.

However, yield of improved seeds start to decrease after 3-4 years if seeds are not well maintained.

So, seed development needs to continue with increasing seed replacement ratio.

Based on the above analysis and assumptions, it could be safely concluded that cost benefit ratio has

been highly favourable.


29

D. Project Outline and Results

Overall Project Objective: CFSAM 2013 report indicates that there is almost gap of approximately

340,000 ton food grain between production and requirement. Immediate increase in food production

to achieve self sufficiency in food is a national priority. There are time- tested robust approaches

available to boost the production and productivity of food crops or for that matter any crop be it fruits

or vegetables or something else. Increase in production could be achieved either through increase in

the cultivable area popularly called horizontal increase or increase in yield/unit area known as vertical

increase. In simple terms, one can increase the area of the crop; however, this option is no more

available in DPRK. The only option left is increase in the crop productivity.

UN Strategic Framework (UNSF) Strategic Priority Area: Area 3: Nutrition

UNSF Outcome(s):

1: Improved Nutritional Status of targeted populations to enable them to lead healthy lives;

2: Sustained Household food Security.

Expected CP Outcome(s): Increased access of people to diversified range of foods as well as

farmers‟ increasing agriculture diversification and productivity.

CP Outputs: 1.1. Agriculture production and diversification strengthened through integrated farming;

increase in urban vegetable and potato cultivation and enhancing seed production.

Expected Project Output(s):

1. Standard technologies and management in seed production and processing introduced in project

farms;

2. Seed quality control system improved; and

3. Seed policy and ordinance issues addressed.

Food security is heavily dependent on seed security. In fact, seed security precedes food security.

Importance of seed as a major input and as an important vehicle to increase food production in the

country is well recognised. The essence of any seed programme consists in quality control and seed

is different from grain only if certain qualities, which are important from the point of view of genetic

purity, are preserved carefully.

Seed Project activities are very well linked to the national development goal. Thus, technological

interventions through introduction of improved cultivars and quality seed production of food crops

including vegetable remains the core issue of the project. The introduction clearly lays the premise

that underlying solution lies more in introduction of superior cultivars/hybrids of cereal crops and

making their seed available to end users in required quality and quantity. The impact of breeding and

seed distribution technology has been amply demonstrated world over in the past particularly

heralding in green revolution in South-east Asia and middle East and it will be no different in DPRK.

Project Locations:

i. Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong County, Pyongyang (cereals),

ii. Daesong Certified Seed Farm, Sukchon county, South Pyongan Province (cereals),

iii. Up Seed Multiplication Farm, Unpa County, North Hwanghae Province (vegetables), and

iv. South Pyongan Province Seed Inspection Centre.


30

D. Performance Assessment

D.1. Achievement of Results

Results Chain Indicators Baseline End Target (expected

value at project

completion)

Achiev

ed

If not

achiev

ed

explain

why

If

applicabl

e/follow

up action

to be

taken

Impact: The

priority # 1 of the

CPF:

Strengthening

national food

and nutritional

security.

Project

Outcome

Output (1) Seed

policy and seed

ordinance issues

addressed and

capacity

enhanced in

planning,

implementation

and monitoring

seed

programmes.

- Approval

and

adoption

National

agriculture-

first policy

and

relevant

ordnance.

Policy

needing

review

and

revision.

i. Study Seed Policy

and prepared Seed

Guidelines for field

staff;

ii. Give priority on its

implementation.

iv. Support in the

preparation of seed

development

priorities and plans

for DPRK.

v. Raise awareness

on National

agriculture-first policy

at different forums.

Achiev

ed: 90 -

95 %.

No

need to

change

Seed

Policy,

rather

its

implem

entatio

n is

require

d.

Seed

Guideline

s

including

names of

improved

varieties

for field

staff is a

living

documen

t.

Output (2)

Appropriate

technology in

seed production,

processing,

quality control

introduced.

Basic

technology

for seed

production

in use.

Rudiment

ary

technolo

gy that is

inefficient

and

needs

replacem

ent

efficient

knowledg

e and

practices

i. Field International

Consultants on

Vegetable Seed

Production,

Maintenance

Breeding & Breeder

Seed Production, and

Cereal Seed

Multiplication & Seed

Quality Control.

ii. Three „study tours

on seed‟ carried out

in China & Thailand,

India, and Vietnam.

iii. Carry out required

trainings on seed by

International and

National Consultants,

90-95

%

One

study

tour

was

not

carried

out

since

study

tour

becam

e no-go

area

for

UNDP

funded

project

s.

Should

continue

with the

support

of FAO,

EUPS

Units and

GoDPRK

.


31

CTA and National

Project Coordinator.

Output (3)

Enhanced

capacity of

farmers in seed

conditioning,

seed certification

for relevant farm

mangers and

extension staff

through hands-

on use of model

seed cleaning

equipment and

seed testing

facilities, and

through training

and study tours.

Availability

of know-

how and

skills

among

farmers

and farm

managers

for

managing

good seed

programme

.

- Weak

capacity

among

farmers

and farm

manager;

-

Provincia

l seed

inspectio

n centres

not

adequate

ly

equipped

. Seed

and field

standard

s set for

seed

certificati

on to be

establish

ed.

- Prepare Seed

testing guidelines

prepared.

- Model facilities for

seed storage,

production, drying,

cleaning and testing

established.

- Procurement and

installation of

equipments/machiner

ies carried out.

- Technical staffs

trained on use of

equipments/machiner

ies including seed

processing and seed

testing.

- Seed production

guidelines prepared.

- Carried out

altogether 10

trainings at

cooperative farm,

county and

Pyongyang levels.

- Prepared manual on

“Maize Breeding and

Seed Production”.

90 – 95

%

Not

applica

ble.

-do-

Output 4:

Farmer‟s

awareness

raised in using

quality seeds,

certified seed of

improved

varieties; and

exposure to

regional

experience in

seed production

systems for rice

and vegetables.

Upgraded

skills of

researcher

s,

professiona

ls and

technicians

engaged in

planning of

seed

production,

maintenanc

e of

varieties,

seed

multiplicati

on and

seed

conditionin

g.

Low

awarene

ss levels

of the

criticality

of high

quality

seeds

and good

varieties

to

increase

productivi

ty.

- Carryout field

demonstrations and

brief and train

partners in provinces

on field days.

- Develop literature

and awareness

material for field days

(in Korean).

- Arrange seed,

fertilizers and other

material and

equipment needed

for demonstrations.

- Secure feedback

from cooperative

farmers.

- Organize

continuation of field

demonstrations

through national

95-99

%.

Not

applica

ble.

-do-


32

extension agencies.

1 2 3 N/A

Extent to which a contribution to Impact has been made X

Provide a small narrative text to support the scoring: The relevant text of the „Evaluation Report,

April 2014‟ is quoted. Quote: With a view to accelerate progress towards universal and national

development goals, the two evaluated projects focus on contributing to “Nutrition and Food

Security”, which is also one of four United Nations Strategic Framework (2011-2015) MDG-based

priority areas in DPRK. The UNSF (2011-2015) aims at achieving two outcomes for nutrition,

namely:

i. Improved nutritional status of targeted population to enable them to lead healthy lives, and

ii. Sustained household level food security.

Unquote

Extent to which the expected outputs have been delivered X

Provide a small narrative text to support the scoring: The Ministry of Agriculture highly praised the

works of both Seed and Post-harvest projects during 4th Project Board meeting held on 29

th May

2014 and requested to FAO and UNDP to continue these two projects. In addition, Mr. Jon In

Chan, Deputy Secretary General, DPRK National Coordination Committee (NCC) also highly

praised the performance of particularly seed and PHL projects while meeting with ADG/Regional

Representative, FAO RAP Bangkok on 25th March 2014 in Pyongyang. Ultimately, credit goes to all

concerned staff members. These two projects are headed by the same Chief Technical Advisor.

Extent to which outcome has been achieved / X / / /

Provide a small narrative text to support the scoring:

Major Constraints/challenges:

i. Serious money transaction problem since mid- March 2014;

ii. Meeting specific procurement rules and the export license requirements particularly for

UNDP funded projects is very much time consuming;

iii. Difficult logistics and very high costs of forwarding goods to DPRK; and

iv. Linkage with International Organizations is weak to keep pace with the latest developments

in agriculture.

Despite above constraints, the outcome so far achieved (considered progress towards indicator

targets at outcome level, extent to which outputs are being delivered, assumptions, risks and the

external environment) is very satisfactory.

Overall results achievement rating / X / / /

Score Meaning

1 Performance is good

2 Performance is problematic.

Corrective action needed

3 Performance presents

deficiencies.

Major corrective action,

reorientation or early termination

required

D.2. Relevance

a. Quality of design and relevance to problem that was to be solved through the project: In

DPRK context, the quality of design and relevance to problem that was to be solved through the

project was okay. However, the Results and Resources Framework in the Project Document included


33

output baselines, indicators and targets that were to a large degree not measureable and not

sufficiently specific.

The relevant text of the “Evaluation Report, April 2014” is quoted. Quote: Individually stated project

objectives were furthermore generally believed to be realistic and achievable during a 3-year

implementation period on the foreseen number of demonstration / pilot cooperative farms. However,

to make full use of realized benefits and up-scale project achievements from the current pilot level to

a larger geographic area or even national scale, additional resources will be required. Optimal longer-

term results will to a large degree depend on the right mix of capacity building, improved infrastructure

and availability of better equipment. Unquote

b. Alignment and strategic fit (CPF outcome/UNDAF outcome/national priority/Organizational

Result/synergy with other interventions): The relevant text of the “Evaluation Report, April 2014” is

quoted.

Quote: “Improved Seed Production for Sustainable Agriculture” and “Reduction of Post-Harvest

Losses for Food Security” are two key projects of the “Food security and Rural Development”

component of the UNDP Country Programme (CPC). UNDP`s country programme document for the

Democratic People‟s Republic of Korea (2011-2015), prepared in close consultation with all

stakeholders including relevant ministries, research institutions, donors and United Nations agencies,

reflects the agreement on the United Nations Strategic Framework (2011-2015) between the

Government and the United Nations country team.

Through the two evaluated projects the CPC supports the Government in achieving its 2015

National Development Goal One to “Improve the Living Standard of People” and

underlying target of “Ensuring Food Security” in line with the Millennium Development Goals

(MDGs).

With a view to accelerate progress towards universal and national development goals, the two

evaluated projects focus on contributing to “Nutrition and Food Security”, which is also one of four

United Nations Strategic Framework (2011-2015) MDG-based priority areas in DPRK. The UNSF

(2011-2015) aims at achieving two outcomes for nutrition, namely:

Improved nutritional status of targeted population to enable them to lead healthy lives, and,

Sustained household level food security.

Aggregate farm production in DPRK is estimated to have increased for the third consecutive year and

exceed 5 million mt for the second year in a row in 2013, bringing the country closest to sufficiency in

almost two decades. Despite this improvement, major challenges remain to reaching the food

production level of over 6 million mt achieved in the late 1980s through cooperation within the former

Soviet Union trading arrangements.

In addition to geographical and climatic constraints2, production is currently mainly limited by

agricultural input shortages (improved seed varieties of adequate quality, lime, pesticides,

plastic sheeting3, adequate supply of plant nutrients through the application of different

chemical fertilizers and organic matter, etc.),

the degree of mechanization4,

2 The major portion of the country is rugged mountain terrain with little scope for increasing cereal

production by expanding farming into new areas. Arable land is limited to about 19.5% of the total landmass (Source: FAO, 2012). 3 The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) has the potential of increasing yields by over 20 percent but

is coupled with the use of plastic trays for planting the rice seedlings.


34

a departure from sound agricultural techniques (adequate crop rotation5, soil conservation

6,

timeliness of harvesting and threshing processes7, etc.) and

the level of incentives for stimulating increased production and productivity (including for

example the comparatively low price level for soybean, uncertainties linked to labour

investments into activities that will only produce benefits in subsequent years, such as longer

term measures to improve soil quality, etc.).

Over the years, domestic production of fertilizer has declined to a level of about 10 percent of total

requirement8, increasing dependence on imported fertilizer, reducing its overall use and creating

imbalances in the applied mix of plant nutrients (including a very low application rate of phosphate

and potassium9). The foreign exchange situation combined with international restrictions on trade has,

on the other hand, not allowed adequate commercial imports of much needed agricultural inputs such

as fertilizer10

, pesticides, plastic sheeting, spare- parts for machinery, tyres for tractors and trucks and

fuel. Much needed lime application to improve fertility of acidic soils11

, although improved lately, is

constrained by the lack of transport facilities and fuel availability. Leguminous crops (soybean, mung

bean, etc.) have been identified for many years as an essential addition to the DPRK crop mix, but to

date, have not been planted at an adequate level.

Considering its developmental needs and priorities the DPRK Government set the following sectoral

policies:

innovation in breeding and seed multiplication,

double cropping,

improvement in potato farming,

improvement in soybean farming and

active introduction of advanced farming systems (including organic farming),

and identified in 2012 the following five governmental strategic objectives in the food and agriculture

sector:

Priority A: Strengthening national food and nutritional security,

Priority B: Improving natural resource management,

Priority C: Improved rural livelihood,

Priority D: Improved mitigation of the impact of climate change on agriculture and improved

disaster management, and,

4 Using better seeding equipment has the potential to increase yields by around 10 percent because

of better germination and appropriate spacing between each plant. Lack of tractor power makes land preparation slow and difficult, thus impeding the use of off-season manures or of double cropping. 5 Rotating cereal crops (especially maize and wheat) with legumes such as soy or green manure

could potentially increase yields by around 10 percent 6 Conservation agriculture (low tillage farming) can reduce soil erosion, save fuel, and improve soil

quality 7 Improved timing of harvesting and threshing processes importantly reduces post harvest losses

8 Source: FAO/WFP, 2013 Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) Report. More

recent reports published between January and April 2014 underline significant capacity increases to produce fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and plastic sheeting domestically at the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex. 9 Source: “The State of North Korean Farming: New Information from the UN Crop Assessment

Report”, background analysis by Randall Ireson, 18 December 2013 10

In 2013 DPRK bought a total of 207,334 mt of fertilizers from China, down by 18 percent from the previous year, according to news reports (Source: Yonhap News Agency report of 4 March 2014). Significant import increases were recorded for January 2014 when the country imported 35,113 mt of fertilizer from China according to data by the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI). 11

Applying lime to the fields to offset acid soils has the potential to increase yields by more than 20 percent


35

Priority E: Improvement in institutional capacity for agricultural research, extension and

administration.

Both, the “Improved Seed Production for Sustainable Agriculture” and the “Reduction of Post-Harvest

Losses for Food Security” projects are fully in line with these priorities and specifically contribute to

the intended

Outcome A1 (Increased food production) and

Outcome A2 (reduced food loss in production and supply chains), as well as the defined

Priority Output A1-1 (Enhanced capacity of seed farms to introduce superior varieties)” and

Priority Output A2-1 (Best practices for reduced on-farm post-harvest-loss developed)

of the “Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2012-2015 for The Cooperation and Partnership

Between FAO and the Government of the Democratic People´s Republic of Korea”.

The Government of the Democratic People´s Republic of Korea has since the adoption of the above

framework continued to highlight the key importance it gives to the agriculture sector in its strive to

rapidly and sustainably improve national food security and eventually reach food self-sufficiency. In

his New Year Address 2014, as well as his message delivered during DPRK´s first national

conference of farm sub-work team leaders12

Mr. Kim Jong Un, Supreme Leader of the DPR Korean

people, in fact underlined, that agriculture needed to be defined as the priority area for improving the

economy and people‟s lives in DPRK. At this occasion the Supreme Leader personally emphasized

details of DPRK farming policies, including a specific call to implement a seed revolution, identifying

short growing periods, efficient uptake of available fertilizer and pest resistance as key criteria for the

development of improved crop seeds in DPRK.

Unquote

Food security is heavily dependent on seed security. In fact, seed security precedes food security.

Importance of seed as a major input and as an important vehicle to increase food production in the

country is well recognised.

Considering above circumstances, the project was very much aligned with the outcomes of CPF,

UNDAF and other interventions.

D.3. Sustainability

Dimensions of sustainability: Key steps taken to ensure the sustainability of the project interventions

included: i. involvement of communities in the planning and design of interventions; ii. an assessment

of community environment and capacity to ensure local ownership, motivation to maintain and

operate facilities, resources and assets created with project support; iii. coordinated capacity building

and participatory process to strengthen the involvement of cooperative farmers, and national

government institutions; iv. ensuring community contributions and investments in project components

costs, i.e., through community cost sharing arrangements and local resources mobilisation; v.

effective training and capacity building to provide communities with on-going maintenance related

technical and managerial skills; and vi. ensuring that interventions are inclusive, i.e., participation of

the poor and marginalized groups, women.

The project‟s contributions in terms of asset creation, increased local capacities, access to new

technologies, and established linkages and partnerships provided incentives to the stakeholders and

created strong foundation for sustaining benefits of interventions in the long term and potential for

replication.

12

First national conference of farm sub-work team leaders in Pyongyang on 6-7 February 2014


36

D.3.1. Financial Sustainability: The project improved food security and nutrition for 10,416

cooperative farmers (Male: 4,848 = 46.54%; Female: 5,568 = 53.45%) in 6 demonstration farms and

helped them to escape from being trapped deeper into poverty. The quantified economic benefits are

cost savings consisting of reduction in out-of-pocket household expenses resulting from avoided

health costs. These occur, based on the assumption that poor households are more vulnerable to

illness because of their poor living conditions and inappropriate diets leading to malnutrition. The

analysis does not attempt to quantify economic gains and only provides conservative estimates based

on benefits streams that can be quantified. Commercially-viable activities are, by definition

sustainable beyond the end of the Project.

D.3.2. Institutional Sustainability: The project had the following built-in features to ensure

institutional sustainability:

i. Support to the government priority aimed at promoting longer-term seed development;

ii. Improved capacity in targeting and delivering seed development interventions;

iii. Strengthening community-based approaches for promoting household food security and nutrition

providing better access of poor households to food in the medium terms through additional food

production; and

iv. Holding continuous policy dialogue with the relevant government on integrating innovative

approaches for seed development into national policies and programmes and priorities to ensure

that capacities gained are embedded within the government‟s core approach and system and the

lessons learned are replicated by the government with greater effectiveness and efficiency

ensuring sustainability of impact.

The Government institutions, particularly MoA, PAC and AAS worked together from the formulation,

and implementation of the action until achieving the expected results. Government institutions were

better equipped with analytical tools and methodologies (like seed quality test and multiplication of

only quality seeds for seed purpose, SRI, etc) to develop and implement more focused and

responsive programmes. The cooperative farms by participating from the formulation of the action

until achieving the expected results developed a sense of ownership. The capacity building activities

including abroad study tours helped them to develop their internal capacity and institutional strength

and ensured sustainability. The above mentioned stakeholders are expected to scale up the outcome

of this project to other areas in the country. Through working to strengthen the capacity of support

service institutions and government counterparts, the project left behind not only viable community

and household assets and more effective and responsive service provisions but also improved

technical and managerial capability to sustain these improvements.

D.3.3. Policy Level Sustainability: The success of this project had a positive influence in the

development of the Seed Guidelines at the field level in the country since the key ministries

responsible for agricultural development and improving nutrition were stakeholders of this project. A

good example is the positive result achieved by project which contributed to the formulation of a

„Guidelines for Seed Production and Quality Control‟ at field level.

D.3.4. Environmental Sustainability: Project focused on „environmentally friendly technology‟.

Project used technological systems that served agricultural producers, processors and consumers as

well as the environment. Implementation of SRI as demonstration though in small scale supported

environmental sustainability. Cooperative farmers were convinced on the results of SRI, accordingly

environmental sustainability will be ensured even after the completion of the project.

D.3.5. Social Sustainability: Involving cooperative farmers with equal scope of participation for

individuals from planning to execution of the project activities fostered a sense of ownership and

social harmony, an important precondition for social sustainability of the project.


37

D.4 Implementation

Implementation Score

1 2 3

Work-plan and budget

To what extent were activities implemented on time? X

Comments, if any: Serious money transaction problem occurred during April – August 2013 and

mid March – mid September 2014. April to October is the main period for agricultural field activities.

Procurements of expensive farm inputs, equipments, machineries and development of infrastructure

in countryside were kept on hold. It had significant negative impacts on project‟s delivery on time.


38

E. FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS

What concrete follow-up actions are foreseen/are taking place if any and by whom?

Please indicate in order of priority

Responsi

bility

(name,

Institution

)

Additional

resources

required, if

any

Status and contribution to sustainability of project results

FAO and

MoA

FAO approved

US$ 469,000

for a TCP

project -

“Farmer

Participatory

Seed

Multiplication

and Post

Harvest

Management”

TCP project may start soon.

Seed and Post-harvest projects funded by UNDP were completed on

31st October 2014. Many positive things have been happening in

seed and post-harvest sectors in the DPR Korea. However, these

successes are not enough, there is still a long way to go particularly

in the fields of seed quality, protected cultivation, post-harvest

management mainly through proper threshing and drying, and

capacity building. The GoDPRK and FAO DPR Korea would have not

been in a position to carry out these most needed activities related to

seed production and post-harvest management after 31st October

2014 in case this TCP project would have not been approved on time.

In order to carry forward the efforts of Seed and Post-harvest projects

funded by UNDP to a logical conclusion and also to provide a basis

for sustainability as well as a good exit strategy for both the donor

However, project managed somehow to procure less expensive but urgently required farm inputs

and continued activities related to capacity building.

During the period of money transaction problem, particularly MoA played a vital role to convince the

suppliers/contractors to keep patience for the payment. In addition, FAO China supported a lot to

procure required items from China.

To what extent were activities implemented within planned budget? X

Comments, if any: In general, expenditures were made according to approved limits under

different budget groupings expect very minor increase on construction of farm structures and

machineries from the saving under training subheading as approved by Project Board, comprised of

representative from FAO, MoA and resource partner – UNDP. All trainings were carried out as per

project target, but the numbers of trainees per training were decreased.

Risk Management

To what extent has the risk management matrix been thoroughly assessed

and updated? (self assessment)

X

Comments, if any: The risk management matrix was thoroughly assessed and updated and it

certainly helped to some extent, but didn‟t solve all the problems. All the required documents,

namely technical specifications of the inputs, clearance of the technical specifications from the LTO,

etc. were kept ready and once the money transaction problem was solved the delivery of the project

was very fast.

Overall Implementation rating X

Comments, if any: Considering 2 times (altogether 11 months) serious money transaction

problems and achievements during the project period against the targets, ground realities observed

during field visits, database available at cooperative farms and findings of independent Evaluation

Mission, it could be safely concluded that cooperative approach through various activities relating to

seed though had very few shortfalls, was a right strategy to achieve the objective of cooperative-led

development processes aimed at rebuilding capacities and meeting the needs of disadvantaged

cooperative farmers.


39

and FAO, this TCP project was designed to address the remaining

critical gaps. The TCP project will not repeat or duplicate what has

already been achieved in the projects funded by others.

Considering above circumstances, the Secretary General, DPRK

National Committee (NC) for FAO, kindly requested FAO to approve

this TCP project as soon as possible. In addition, NC kindly

requested to give the first priority to this TCP project. The project will

concentrate its support to the seed sector in project areas via 6

cooperative farms that produce certified seed of both, staple food and

vegetable crops. Project outputs will be a combination of capacity

building efforts and the introduction of improved equipment, which are

expected to result in quantitative as well as qualitative advances of

the seed production.

F. LESSONS LEARNED

F.1. Lessons Learned – Elements of Success:

i. Strategy: The project practiced „Triangle Approach‟ which was very successful in many

developing countries including DPRK. Triangle Approach means three angles were composed of

International Organizations (FAO, EUPS Units and Donor), concerned Government Departments

(Local Authority and Technical Departments) and Community (cooperative farmers).

ii. The major impact lessons learned were that i. The strategy should be one of individual

empowerment for high impact livelihoods, e.g. seed multiplication of improved varieties,

construction of threshing cum drying floor, etc. (affecting many people and or large areas of land)

through Work Teams of cooperative farms.

iii. It was better to focus on high impact Work Teams (near a river, dam, small town, etc) especially

for seed production.

iv. In order to maximize the benefits from the Project, the lessons learned and „good practices‟

developed in seed sector in the project sites were captured and made available to support seed

sector in other counties. It occurred through periodic local level discussion forums namely

technical working group, agriculture and food security thematic group, nutrition thematic group,

and national level discussion forums namely training and workshops with other stakeholders

involved in agricultural development.

v. Technical Working Group meetings, composed of FAO and concerned technical staff from MoA,

PAC and AAS were held on need basis. However, the minutes of the meetings were not prepared

intentionally to have free and frank technical discussion.

vi. Project used to give a copy of agendas for Project Board meeting to all concerned government

officials in advance and also used to discuss informally before Project Board meeting to expedite

its approval during the official meeting and it used to work very well. Project faced far less

difficulties than other agencies probably due to transparency of work and working closely with

technical line Departments.

vii. Bottom-up approach is good for field activities, while sometime top-down approach is good to

convince the Local Authority.


40

viii. The CTA of the Project was invited by FAO RAP Bangkok to participate in “Regional Consultation

on Improving Wheat Productivity in Asia” held in Bangkok during April 26-27, 2012. The

expenditure for this regional consultation was not debited to the Project, rather it was paid by the

organizer – FAO RAP. In addition, CTA also attended other workshop and brainstorming

meetings organized by FAO, sister UN Agencies, and EUPS Units at Pyongyang level. This

helped to share latest technologies or findings based on field experiences among concerned staff

members.

F.2. Lessons Learned – Impediments/Constraints:

i. Meeting specific procurement rules and the export license requirements was time consuming.

ii. Difficult logistics and very high costs of forwarding goods to DPRK.

iii. Quarterly physical verifications of the farm equipments/machineries by the resource partner were

time consuming and it used to disturb field activities particularly during period of peak field

activities. Sometime cooperative farmers and cooperative staffs used to be very disappointed with

this activity.

G. RECOMMENDATIONS

G.1. Seed Production:

i. Considering the given conditions, the seed production activities at all three seed farms are very

impressive but need more infrastructural support in the form of farm machineries, seed

processing equipment, seed threshing-cum-drying floors and seed stores.

ii. The production of various classes of seed relies on the research academy and cooperative seed

farms, both involved in an integrated seed production chain. There are three recognized classes

of seed under seed-generation control system i.e. Breeder Seed (BS), Foundation Seed (FS) and

Certified Seed (CS). To ensure quality and quantity of seed it is necessary that the seed

generation chain is followed without any significant deviation by all concerned.

iii. Seeds cannot be produced over-night. Therefore, to maintain a continuous flow of seed a strong

coordination between Academy of Agricultural Sciences (AAS) and seed farms is necessary to

avoid cycle of shortages or glut.

iv. Breeder seed forms the basis of all further seed production arrangements. It is the availability of pure

breeder seed of a variety that starts the introduction to the public of the results of research and

transmits the increase in agricultural productivity to the economy. Therefore, AAS should pay utmost

attention to maintain the quality of breeder seed.

v. It is readily and conveniently assumed that the seed which comes from AAS research institutes

must necessarily be pure and of high quality. This would be so, if adequate facilities are available and if

proper seed production techniques were followed. Under existing situation it appears that the breeder

seed programme also needs strengthening.

vi. Next in importance to the purity of the breeder seed is the purity of the foundation seed and its

availability in adequate quantities. The production and distribution of foundation seed are

important aspects of seed programme as they determine the volume of high quality certified seed that

would be available to the farmers at more than 3,500 cooperative farms. The foundation seed


41

should be subjected to rigorous inspection by Central/Provincial Seed Inspection officials. Care

should be taken to maintain the quality of the seed-material at field level, during the seed

production stage, during processing and storage. Similarly practice of multiplication of foundation

seed from foundation seed till it looks fine should also be discouraged.

vii. The term 'certified seed production' is widely used to denote the production of commercial seed at 240

cooperative certified seed farms which is handed over to the other cooperative farms for raising crops. It

should be ensured that it is available in pure condition and in adequate quantities and certified by

independent seed certifying agency.

G.2. Boosting production through increased cropping intensity and increased productivity:

i. Based on the performance of the current rice hybrid varieties it appears that yield potential of

hybrid varieties is better than non hybrid varieties. To increase the national yield average and total

grain production it is necessary to bring more area under high yielding hybrid rice varieties. It

would need increase in the technical and infrastructural capabilities of the involved institutions.

ii. Introduction of short duration, photo insensitive and cold tolerant hybrid varieties of maize in

combination with wheat and barley could increase the cropping intensity to 200% and, thus, more

food production. Efforts are required to be made to procure genetic material of maize from such

places which grow maize at higher altitude and in cold areas to identify suitable hybrids with cold

tolerance which could fit in double cropping system.

G.3. Seed Quality Control: The essence of any seed programme consists in quality control and seed is

different from grain only if certain qualities which are important from the point of view of genetic purity are

preserved carefully. The seed programme without quality control will result in failure. Therefore, it requires utmost

attention.

i. The certification of all classes of seed is mandatory. The seeds are certified by officials of the

Provincial Seed Certification Centres and the field standards and seed quality standards are

checked against the standards specified for certification. These standards need revision to bring

them at par with international standards which are based on research and practicality.

ii. Field quality control starts with field inspection prior to planting leading to approval of seed fields

(field history, preceding crop, soil conditions, availability of irrigation water, slope, etc. should all

be checked). Standard number of inspections and time of inspections should be followed from

planting to harvesting and storage. Implementing proper seed field inspection scheme with trained

inspection officials will lead seed farms to appreciate the difference between seed and grain

production and thereby comply with seed production discipline.

iii. Field Inspections in respect of hybrid maize and rice seed fields is a tool to evaluate the quality of

seed production. The field inspection at appropriate crop growth stages is particularly important in respect

of first generation hybrids of rice and maize as these are expected to perform better than non hybrid seed

and farmers will not obtain desired results unless the hybrids are truly the type of crosses which they were

intended to be. If seed which is not up to the mark and standard is certified, all users of seed will suffer. The

agricultural programmes of the country will also suffer. Therefore, standards specified for certification are

required to be adhered to equitably and with firmness.

iv. Seed project has recently established three seed testing laboratories in selected seed farms.

These laboratories should follow International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) procedure to test

the seed samples. It will ensure the uniformity in the procedure and results.


42

v. Upgrading of Central Seed Testing Laboratory at Central Seed Inspection Centre is desirable.

Non availability of chemical and reagents is a major problem. It could be achieved by providing

essential seed testing laboratory equipment, chemicals, reagents and other supplies. Supply of a

desktop computer with printer will certainly help in maintaining record and generating seed testing

reports.

vi. The Central Seed Testing Laboratory must introduce a system of referral testing to ensure

uniformity of seed testing in all the laboratories in the country. It should provide active leadership

in developing the Provincial State Seed Testing Laboratories.

G.4. Seed Processing and Packing:

i. In dealing with seeds, we deal with living material with the result that constant care is necessary

at all stages of production, processing, storage etc. The main objective of seed processing is to

preserve the viability of the seeds by removing all foreign matter and contaminating material. Seed cleaning

and grading machines available at foundation seed farms are very old and inefficient. These are required to

be replaced and the deficiencies in the functional seed cleaners also required to be removed immediately.

ii. Upgrading of three foundation seed production farms with rehabilitation or reconstruction of most

essential facilities for seed drying and storage buildings, rehabilitation of repairable equipment or

its replacement and the provision of additional seed processing (threshing, cleaning, treatment

and packaging) and storage equipment is urgently needed if these are to be developed as ideal

seed farms.

iii. The packing of seed is another weak area in the process of production of quality seed on these

farms. Packaging comes at the end of processing operations. All the efforts taken in inspecting

seed lots from the time of sowing to processing and all the care taken to preserve their viability

through proper seed processing would be of no avail if steps are not taken to avoid physical

adulteration of seed lots. Sometime seed is packed in straw bags. Such bags neither could be

sealed properly nor labelled. Beside this, storage and handling of seed in the seed stores in straw

bags can become a cause of varietal mixing. It is recommended that seed bags of suitable

material should be used so that these could also be properly labelled. It would be better if seed is

packed in cotton and jute canvas, gunny bags or Polypropylene bags.

iv. Proper storage is vital for all seed operations. Seed storage was proper in some cooperative farm

stores whereas, it was poor with others. Storing cleaned and bagged seed on dusty floors and

outside under unprotected condition might damage seed quality. In most of the cases the existing

seed storage facilities require renovation.

G.5. Introduction of new plant varieties:

i. Another development of great concern is the fact that in irrigated ecosystem, which contributes major

share of the food production advances made so far, yield levels of high yielding varieties (non-hybrid)

are getting plateaued and need to be improved through introduction of better varieties and

optimization of management practices. Breeding and seed production programmes often go hand

in hand to make an impact. Therefore, there should be strong coordination between AAS and

seed programme.

ii. Linkage with International Organizations is very important to keep pace with the latest

developments in agriculture. Effective linkage of AAS, Agricultural University and various crop

research institutes with Regional and International sources of improved planting material

especially with various centres of Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research


43

(CGIAR) is necessary to procure new genetic material and technology. AAS should delineate

agro-ecologies for targeted crops and on this basis establish international professional seed

linkages for obtaining new / improved materials.

iii. The policy of both “breed” and “test” should be followed in introduction of new improved plant

varieties. It is usually best options for taking advantages of research at home and abroad.

iv. Study and training visits of the scientists and technicians working in plant breeding and seed

sector to the international institutions/organizations like International Rice Research Institute,

Manila, Philippines for rice; International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, Mexico for wheat

and maize; a few agricultural universities in the region like those in China and other neighbouring

countries with more or less similar crops and climate as in DPRK will be very helpful in advancing

the research at home. One year long intensive training of the concerned scientists is considered

ideal.

G.6. Efforts towards export of seed of cabbage and radish: DPRK seems to be ideal location for

production of open-pollinated and hybrid seeds of cabbage and radish provided adequate steps are

taken to accelerate the programme and seed quality standards are up-to international level. Tonnes of

hybrid cabbage seed are imported into India from this region and in my opinion, DPRK may explore

the possibility of producing and exporting hybrid cabbage and radish seed to the international market

particularly Indian sub-continent in due course of time. This arrangement can be materialized based

on certain mutually agreed MoU between DPRK and reputed vegetable seed companies where bulk

of raw seed can be exported to the destination for further processing, packing and marketing to save

cost to both the sides. Cabbage seed production is extremely difficult in tropical countries and

incidentally these countries consume a lot of cabbage seeds, for example, Indian vegetable seed

companies import and sell about 40 tonnes of hybrid cabbage seed annually.

H. Possible Priorities Areas for a Project Extension or Complementary Project

In order to carry forward the efforts of Seed and Post-harvest projects funded by UNDP to a logical

conclusion and also to provide a basis for sustainability as well as a good exit strategy for both the

donor and FAO, a new project should be designed to bridge the remaining critical gaps in seed

sector.


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Annex – I. General Information on Demonstration Cooperative Farms under Seed Project:

Description

Maekjon Foundation

Farm

Unpa Certified

Farm

Daesong Certified

Farm

Total

1. Total farmers number 1016 702 1894 3,612

2. No. of male farmers 487 312 909 1,708

3. No. of female farmers 529 390 985 1,904

4. No. of technician 89 93 203 385

5. Total arable land (ha) 377 270 943 1,590

6. Paddy(ha) 165 53 701 919

7. Non Paddy(ha) 212 217 242 671

8. Total Area for seed

production(ha)

192 89 718 999

9. No. of cleaning machines 3 2 2 7

10. No. of rice threshing

machine

5 3 11 19

11. No. of maize sheller 5 3 12 20

12. No. of tractor 16 14 25 55

13. No. of grain production

work team

8 3 12 23


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Annex – II. Assets delivered under Seed project:

UNDP TAG # Description Quantity

Unit Price (USD)

Delivery Date

Total Price (USD)

Location/allotment

PRK61795001 PRK61795002 PRK61795003 PRK61795004

Light Truck

2 ton capacity, FAW

4 7,469.00 7/1/2012 29,876.00

Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong County, Pyongyang City - 1 unit, Up Certified Seed Farm, Unpa County, North Hwanghae Province - 1 unit, Daesong Certified Seed Farm for cereals, Sukchon, South Pyongan Province - 1 unit, and Seed Inspection Centre, South Pyongan Province - 1 unit.

PRK61795005 PRK61795006 PRK61795007

Tractor 4WD, 75 HP, Foton-754 with spare parts

3 16,100.0

0 7/1/2012 48,300

Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong County, Pyongyang City - 1 unit, Up Certified Seed Farm, Unpa County, North Hwanghae Province - 1 unit, and Daesong Certified Seed Farm for cereals, Sukchon, South Pyongan Province - 1 unit.

PRK61795008 PRK61795009 PRK61795010

Trailer Tripping Trailer, 4-wheeled for 75 HP tractor

3 3,698.00 7/1/2012 11,094


PRK61795011 PRK61795012 PRK61795013

Seed Cleaner

3 mt/h based on wheat

3 4,102.00 7/1/2012 12,306



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PRK61795014 PRK61795015 PRK61795016 PRK61795017

Seed Lab Equipments

Basic seed lab equipments, 4 sets

4 Lumpsu

m 7/1/2012 15,588

Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong County, Pyongyang City - 1 set, Up Certified Seed Farm, Unpa County, North Hwanghae Province - 1 set, Daesong Certified Seed Farm for cereals, Sukchon, South Pyongan Province - 1 set, and Seed Inspection Centre, South Pyongan - 1 set.

PRK61795018 PRK61795019 PRK61795020

Wet Seed Extractor

for fruit & veg. seeds

3 2,193.66 7/1/2012 6,581


PRK61795021 PRK61795022 PRK61795023

Mobile Thresher

Self propelled rice thresher with 3 roller, 27/28 HP diesel engine

3 5,505.66 7/1/2012 16,517


PRK61795027 PRK61795028 PRK61795029 PRK61795030 PRK61795031 PRK61795032 PRK61795033 PRK61795034

Threshing Yard

1,000 m2 8

41,740.25

Jul-Aug, 2012

333,922

Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong County, Pyongyang City - 5 units, Up Certified Seed Farm, Unpa County, North Hwanghae Province - 1 unit, and Daesong Certified Seed Farm for cereals, Sukchon, South Pyongan Province - 2 units.

PRK61795035 PRK61795036 PRK61795037

Maize Sheller

Self-propelled, 24/25hp diesel engine, capacity: 1,200 kg/hour

3 4,105.00 7/1/2014 12,315


PRK61795038 Foundation Seed Store

50 MT capacity 1 70,824.0

0 16/11/2012

70,824

Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong County, Pyongyang City - 1 unit.


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PRK61795039 PRK61795040 PRK61795041

Drying Facility

Roof surface: 127 sq. meter; surface of paved yard: 400 sq. m.

3 16,020.1

9 30/11/2013 48,060.58


PRK61795042 - PRK61795050

Rice Transplanter

Working width: 2 m; No. of rice planting line: 10 lines; Engine: 6 HP

9 1,580.00 21/10/2013 14,220

Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong County, Pyongyang City - 3 units, Up Certified Seed Farm, Unpa County, North Hwanghae Province - 3 units, and Daesong Certified Seed Farm for cereals, Sukchon, South Pyongan Province - 3 units.

PRK61795051 -

PRK61795056

Greenhouse

Greenhouse, area: 630 sq. m. per greenhouse, one side with concrete wall

6 16,628.1

7 May, 2014 99,769.02


PRK61795057 Laptop

HP 8740w i7 4GB 17"; Tag ID: PRK785640001; Export License: D 486065

1 1,916.13 Sep, 2012 1,916.13 FAO office

Installation of dehumidifier and air cooling system

CFZ-7.0YT, dehumidifying capacity: 7 kg/h, working temperature: 5-35

0C, motor:

4.2 kw, weight: approx. 150 kg, dehumidifying area: 200-250 m

2

1 set 33,842.0

0 Aug, 2014 33,842.00

Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong County, Pyongyang City.


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2WD Farm Walking Tractor, 12 HP

2WD Farm Walking Tractor, 12 HP, 1-cylinder, 4stroke, horizontal, water cooling and its accessories namely, trailer, plough, and rotary tiller – 3 units.

3 units

2,574.66 Sep, 2014 7,724.00


Greenhouses materials

Supply of materials for 6 greenhouses, non-wall type.

6 units

29,988.00

Aug, 2014 4,998.00


767,852.73

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