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

2 A. OVERVIEW A.1. PROJECT PROFILE Country: Project Symbol: Project Title: Resource Partner: Reporting Period: EOD: Actual EOD:

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

Original NTE: Revised NTE: Budget Holder (name):

28 April 2014 31 October 2014 Mr. Percy W. Misika, FAO Representative in China, DPR Korea and Mongolia Lead Technical Officer (name): Mr. Subash Dasgupta, Senior Crop Production Officer until st 31 Dec. 2014; and Mr. Bui Ba Bong, Senior Rice Expert during Jan. – Oct. 2014 Participating Organizations: Seed Management Department and External Cooperation Department, Ministry of Agriculture; Pyongyang Agricultural Campus; and Academy of Agricultural Science Seed Management Department and External Cooperation Implementing Partner: Department, Ministry of Agriculture, GoDPRK Contribution to Programmatic Framework Indicate the reference number and title of each higher level result to which project contributes The global goal # 1 of FAO: Reduction of the absolute number of people suffering from hunger, progressively Organizational Result 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. The specific priority # 1 of FAO RAP: Strengthening food Regional Priority Area/Result and nutritional security. * Country Programming Framework Outcome UNDAF Outcome

The priority # 1 of the CPF: Strengthening national food and nutritional security. UN-DPRK strategic priority # 2: Improved nutritional status and enhanced resiliency of communities through food security. 1

A.2. FINANCIAL DATA in USD (FPMIS) 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.

2

3

CONTENTS Subject

Page Number

Acronyms Acknowledgements A. Overview A.1. Project Profile A.2. Financial Data A.3. Executive Summary A.3.1. Prelude A.3.2. The Problem A.3.3. The Response A.3.4. Results Achieved A.3.5. Follow-up Actions

5 7 2 2 2 8 8 8 8 10 11

B. Government Attention

11

C. Major Activities Carried Out by the Project C.1. Introduction C.1.1. Background C.1.2. Agriculture in DPRK, a Snapshot C.1.3. Planting and Harvesting Time C.1.4. Major Problems of Seed Sector C.2. Technical Support on “Basic Strategy of Seed Production” C.3. Co-ordination/Consultation Process with Cooperative Farms and Stakeholders C.4. Equipments, Machineries and Infrastructures C.4.1. Equipments and Machineries C.4.2. Infrastructure Development C.5. Seed Quality Control C.6. Decentralization of the Seed Production Programme C.7. Production of Various Classes of the Seed C.8. Drought, Flood and Seeds C.9. Support for System of Rice Intensification (SRI) C.10. Support to Mitigate Impacts of Dry Spell C.11. Environmental Sustainability C.12. Capacity Building C.13. Meetings of the Committees C.14. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) C.14.1. Evaluation of Seed and Post-harvest Projects C.15. Relevant Cross-cutting Issues C.16. Project Economic Benefits and Sustainability

12 12 12 12 13 14 14 15 16 16 19 21 21 21 21 22 22 23 23 26 26 26 27 27

D. Project Outline and Results D.1. Achievement of Results D.2. Relevance D.3. Sustainability D.3.1. Financial Sustainability D.3.2. Institutional Sustainability D.3.3. Policy Level Sustainability

29 30 32 35 35 36 36

3

4 D.3.4. Environmental Sustainability D.3.5. Social Sustainability D. 4. Implementation E. Follow-Up Actions F. Lessons Learned F.1. Lessons Learned – Elements of Success F.2. Lessons Learned – Impediments/Constraints G. Recommendations H. Possible Priorities Areas for a Project Extension or Complementary Project

36 36 36 38 39 39 40 40 43

Annex – I. General Information on Demonstration Cooperative Farms Annex – II. Assets Delivered under Seed Project

44 45-48.

4

5 Acronyms AAS AGP BH BS CBS CFSAM CPF CPFIC CS DPRK EMOP ESCAP EUPS FAO FAORAP FAOSOs FAORP FCCC FS GDP GNP GoDPRK HYV IEC INM IPM IRRI Juche LPC LTO LTU M&E MDGs MICS MoA MoC MoLEP MoPH MOV NC NMDGs NPC NPD NTE OPV OSRO PAC PB PDS PMU

Academy of Agricultural Sciences Plant Production and Protection Division Budget Holder Breeder Seed Central Bureau of Statistics FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission Country Programming Framework Country Programming Framework Implementation Committee Certified Seed The Democratic People‟s Republic of Korea Emergency Operation United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific European Union Programme Support Units Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific FAO Strategic Objectives FAO Regional Priorities Framework Convention on Climate Change Foundation Seed Gross Domestic Product Gross National Product Government of DPRK High Yielding Varieties Information, Education and Communication Integrated Nutrient Management Integrated Pest Management International Rice Research Institute, Philippines Self Reliance Local Procurement Committee Lead Technical Officer Lead Technical Unit Monitoring and Evaluation Millennium Development Goals Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Commerce Ministry of Land and Environmental Protection Ministry of Public Health Means of Verification DPRK National Committee for FAO National MDGs National Project Coordinator National Project Director Not to Exceed (end date) Open Pollinated Varieties Office for Special Relief Operations Pyongyang Agricultural Campus (Also known as Pyongyang Agri. University) Project Board Public Distribution System Project management Unit

5

6 PRRO PTF RPFAP SCST SOFI SPC SRI TCP TCSR TF TOR TR TSS TWG UN UNDP UNICEF VRI WFP WHO

Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation Project Task Force Regional Priority Framework for Asia and the Pacific 2010-2019 State Commission for Science and Technologies State of Food Insecurity in the World State Planning Commission System of Rice Intensification Technical Cooperation Programme Donor Liaison and Resource Mobilization Team Trust Fund Terms of Reference Terminal Report Technical Support Services Technical Working Group United Nations United Nations Development Programme United Nations Children's Fund Vegetable Research Institute World Food Programme World Health Organization

6

7

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.

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed Project

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 st People‟s Republic of Korea (DPRK), operationally closed on 31 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

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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 locationspecific, 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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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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. st

b. Second Phase of the Project: The project was completed on 31 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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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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

01 02 03 04

Rice Maize Wheat Barley

Planting/sowing time June April November November

Vegetable crops: Crop Nursery Sowing

Harvesting time October/November September June June/July

Transplanting

Harvesting time

Direct sowing-end of Sep

End of May to early June Middle of July to end of October Middle of June to end of July Early May

Transplanting

Seed harvesting

Cabbage

Middle of Feb

Mid-March

Eggplant

Early Feb

End of April to end of May

Cucumber

End of April

End of May

Spinach

-

For vegetable seed crops: Crop Nursery sowing Cabbage

Middle of Feb

End of March

Early June

Spinach Radish

Early Feb

Direct sowing-end of Sep End of March

End of June Early July

Yield potential (tons/ha) 40 30 50 40

Seed yield (kg/ha) 650 (hybrid seed) 700 (OP seed) 500 )hybrid seed)

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

Cucumber Pumpkin Lettuce

Early April Early April Early Feb

Early May Early May End of March

Early August Early August Middle July

100 (OP seed) 100 (OP seed) 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. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii.

Most of the equipment needed cannot be purchased locally and import is unavoidable. Unfortunately, during import large selection is not available and equipment of high standard and quality from industrialized countries could not be imported. The seed-growing institutions do not have sufficient resources to support, renovate and rehabilitate essential infrastructure. Shortage of specialized machinery and equipment. Insufficient availability of fuel, spare parts, fertilizer and chemicals/reagents. Lack of premises, buildings and equipment for drying, processing, treating and safe storage of the seed. 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. 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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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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

State Variety Comparison and Test Committee Academy of Agricultural Sciences(AAS)

Seed Production Dept, MoA

Seed Supply System/ Activities and Responsibilities Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) Registration of varieties. -variety testing and adaptive trials in-country -variety release/description/recommendation 32 different research institutes -variety breeding and -Rice Research Institute development. -Maize Research Institute -variety maintenance by -Central Veg. Institute breeder. -Potato Research Institute -variety sourcing -line selection/variety development in-country. -breeder seed production. - training. Seed Production Division -central production/stock 25 Foundation Seed Farms records and allocation. 240 Certified seed farms Foundation and certified seed production. -quality control.

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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 rd availability of budget, 3 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. ii.

reading the service manual to check for any specific service requirement of equipment, 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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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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 costeffective 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 o temperature during winter period is -20 C. While the required temperature and humidity inside seed o o store are -5 C to 5 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,

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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 2 floors (1,000 m ) 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. 2

d. Drying Facility: Total 3 units of Drying Facilities (roof surface: 127 M , and surface paved yard: 2 400 M ) 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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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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. ii. iii. iv.

Drying of seeds to safe moisture limits is relatively faster than before. Less mechanical mixture since it is easier to clean the concrete floor than non-concrete floor. Easy to protect seed from rain under transparent roof. 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. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii.

Providing adequate isolation to prevent contamination by natural crossing or mechanical mixtures. Roguing of seed fields prior to the stage at which they could contaminate the seed crop. Periodic testing of varieties for genetic purity. Avoiding genetic shifts by growing crops in areas of their adaptation only. Certification of seed crops to maintain genetic purity and quality of seed. Adopting the seed generation system. 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

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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.

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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.

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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.

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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. ii.

Local Procurement Committee (LPC), 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 th th projects by an external independent International Consultant was carried out during 27 March to 30 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

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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 nondiscriminatory 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

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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. ii. iii. iv.

Total area for seed production under project: Paddy: 577 + Non-paddy (maize): 422 = 999 ha Average yield as per CFSAM 2013 report: Paddy: 5.3 t/ha, and maize: 3.79 t/ha Estimated seed production: Paddy: 3,058 t, and maize: 1,599 t 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.

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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.

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

Results Chain

Indicators

D. Performance Assessment D.1. Achievement of Results 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

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.

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 .

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.

Output (2) Appropriate technology in seed production, processing, quality control introduced.

- Approval and adoption National agriculturefirst policy and relevant ordnance.

Policy needing review and revision.

Basic technology for seed production in use.

Rudiment ary technolo gy that is inefficient and needs replacem ent efficient knowledg e and practices

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. 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,

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

Output (3) Enhanced capacity of farmers in seed conditioning, seed certification for relevant farm mangers and extension staff through handson use of model seed cleaning equipment and seed testing facilities, and through training and study tours.

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.

Availability of knowhow 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.

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.

CTA and National Project Coordinator. - 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”. - 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

90 – 95 %

Not applica ble.

-do-

95-99 %.

Not applica ble.

-do-

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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 th th works of both Seed and Post-harvest projects during 4 Project Board meeting held on 29 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 th Representative, FAO RAP Bangkok on 25 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 1 2 3

Meaning Performance is good Performance is problematic. Corrective action needed 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

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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 longerterm 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. 2

In addition to geographical and climatic constraints , production is currently mainly limited by  agricultural input shortages (improved seed varieties of adequate quality, lime, pesticides, 3 plastic sheeting , adequate supply of plant nutrients through the application of different chemical fertilizers and organic matter, etc.), 4  the degree of mechanization ,

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.

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

5

6

 a departure from sound agricultural techniques (adequate crop rotation , soil conservation , 7 timeliness of harvesting and threshing processes , 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 8 requirement , 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 9 and potassium ). 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 10 as fertilizer , pesticides, plastic sheeting, spare- parts for machinery, tyres for tractors and trucks and 11 fuel. Much needed lime application to improve fertility of acidic soils , 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

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

 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 12 conference of farm sub-work team leaders 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

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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.

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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.

D.4 Implementation

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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 X and updated? (self assessment) 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. 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 Additional bility resources (name, Status and contribution to sustainability of project results required, if Institution any ) FAO and FAO approved TCP project may start soon. MoA US$ 469,000 Seed and Post-harvest projects funded by UNDP were completed on st for a TCP 31 October 2014. Many positive things have been happening in project seed and post-harvest sectors in the DPR Korea. However, these “Farmer successes are not enough, there is still a long way to go particularly Participatory in the fields of seed quality, protected cultivation, post-harvest Seed management mainly through proper threshing and drying, and Multiplication capacity building. The GoDPRK and FAO DPR Korea would have not and Post been in a position to carry out these most needed activities related to st Harvest seed production and post-harvest management after 31 October Management” 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

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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.

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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.

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Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

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

42

Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

(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.

43

Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed Project

Annex – I. General Information on Demonstration Cooperative Farms under Seed Project:

Description

Maekjon Foundation Unpa Certified Farm Farm

Daesong Certified Farm 1894

Total

1. Total farmers number

1016

702

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

44

Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed Project

Annex – II. Assets delivered under Seed project: UNDP TAG #

PRK61795001 PRK61795002 PRK61795003 PRK61795004

Description

Light Truck

2 ton capacity, FAW

Qua ntity

4

Unit Price (USD)

7,469.00

Delivery Date

7/1/2012

Total Price (USD)

29,876.00

PRK61795005 PRK61795006 PRK61795007

Tractor

4WD, 75 HP, Foton-754 with spare parts

3

16,100.0 0

7/1/2012

48,300

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

Location/allotment

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. 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. 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. 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.

45

Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

PRK61795014 PRK61795015 PRK61795016 PRK61795017

Seed Lab Equipment s

Basic seed lab equipments, 4 sets

4

Lumpsu m

7/1/2012

15,588

PRK61795018 PRK61795019 PRK61795020

Wet Seed Extractor

for fruit & veg. seeds

3

2,193.66

7/1/2012

6,581

Mobile Thresher

Self propelled rice thresher with 3 roller, 27/28 HP diesel engine

3

5,505.66

7/1/2012

16,517

PRK61795021 PRK61795022 PRK61795023 PRK61795027 PRK61795028 PRK61795029 PRK61795030 PRK61795031 PRK61795032 PRK61795033 PRK61795034

Threshing Yard

1,000 m

PRK61795035 PRK61795036 PRK61795037

Maize Sheller

Self-propelled, 24/25hp diesel engine, capacity: 1,200 kg/hour

3

4,105.00

7/1/2014

PRK61795038

Foundation Seed Store

50 MT capacity

1

70,824.0 0

16/11/2012

2

8

41,740.2 5

Jul-Aug, 2012

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. 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. 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.

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.

12,315

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.

70,824

Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong County, Pyongyang City - 1 unit.

46

Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

PRK61795039 PRK61795040 PRK61795041

Drying Facility

Roof surface: 127 sq. meter; surface of paved yard: 400 sq. m.

PRK61795042 PRK61795050

Rice Transplant er

Working width: 2 m; No. of rice planting line: 10 lines; Engine: 6 HP

PRK61795051 PRK61795056

Greenhous e

PRK61795057

Laptop

Installation of dehumidifie r and air cooling system

Greenhouse, area: 630 sq. m. per greenhouse, one side with concrete wall HP 8740w i7 4GB 17"; Tag ID: PRK785640001 ; Export License: D 486065 CFZ-7.0YT, dehumidifying capacity: 7 kg/h, working temperature: 50 35 C, motor: 4.2 kw, weight: approx. 150 kg, dehumidifying area: 200-250 2 m

3

16,020.1 9

30/11/2013

48,060.58

9

1,580.00

21/10/2013

14,220

6

16,628.1 7

May, 2014

99,769.02

1

1,916.13

Sep, 2012

1,916.13

1 set

33,842.0 0

Aug, 2014

33,842.00

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. 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. Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong County, Pyongyang City - 2 units, Up Certified Seed Farm, Unpa County, North Hwanghae Province - 2 units, and Daesong Certified Seed Farm for cereals, Sukchon, South Pyongan Province - 2 units.

FAO office

Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong County, Pyongyang City.

47

Terminal Report of DRK/10/004 – Seed project

2WD Farm Walking Tractor, 12 HP

Greenhous es materials

2WD Farm Walking Tractor, 12 HP, 1-cylinder, 4stroke, horizontal, water cooling and its accessories namely, trailer, plough, and rotary tiller – 3 units. Supply of materials for 6 greenhouses, non-wall type.

3 units

6 units

2,574.66

29,988.0 0

Sep, 2014

Aug, 2014

7,724.00

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.

4,998.00

Maekjon Foundation Seed Farm, Kangdong County, Pyongyang City - 2 units, Up Certified Seed Farm, Unpa County, North Hwanghae Province - 2 units, and Daesong Certified Seed Farm for cereals, Sukchon, South Pyongan Province - 2 units.

767,852.73

48