by Sander Van de Moortel · August 4, 2015
Experts in DPR Korea intend to restore the quality of forest lands, alleviate wide-spread food insecurity and reduce the frequency of natural disasters in the country through an ambitious programme of agroforestry—the use of trees on farms and in the landscape. The DPR Korea is only the second country in Asia to launch such an initiative.
The National Agroforestry Strategy and Action Plan 2015—2024 was drafted by The Ministry of Land and Environment Protection (MoLEP), in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and with scientific input from the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).
Trees play a major role in the restoration of landscapes, and can help other crops grow by enhancing the soils they grow on, and protecting against diseases and weather. In addition, their products can generate extra income or complement the diet of the population.
A simultaneously published book (pdf) describes the government’s policy and efforts to scale up agroforestry practices to a nation-wide level in the coming ten years.