The Atlantic has an article on Global Resource Services, a religious US-based NGO which has been running programs in the DPRK for years. The full article is well worth reading.
According to the GRS web page, these are the project in which they are involved:
1. “HaePo Ri Soy Farm“. I suspect that this is located in Haepho-ri (해포리)in Singye County. According to the web page:
About 500 hectares of land originally used to grow corn, has now been dedicated to growing soybeans. Initially, GRS helped by supplying soy seed and equipment to process the soybeans. The soybean products are an excellent source of protein for the local diet. Growing soybeans also helps replenish the soil after growing corn for many years. The soybean oil is used for cooking oil, and the soymilk is used in the local school lunch program.
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The newest installation at the HaePo Ri Soy Farm is a soybean oil factory. The soybean oil is used for cooking oil, which is very important in preparing meals with locally grown corn and other grains. Soybean meal is also a byproduct of the factory that is also high in protein, and can be used in the local diet and to supplement animal feed. Approximately 30 tons of soybean oil are produced each year.
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GRS and local farm managers at HaePo Ri have a long range plan for community development. Economic development, water resource development, medical health programs, and educational programs are being planned and implemented.
2. “Jangpoong Goat Dairy Farm”. I suspect that this is the “Jangphung (장풍읍) Goat Farm”.
According to the web page:
GRS began working with the DPRK Ministry of Agriculture and officials from the Jangpoong Goat Dairy Farm in 2002. The engineers and workers at the Jangpoong Farm constructed a building, and GRS began installing dairy processing equipment in June 2003. Dairy processing began in October 2003. Since that time, GRS staff and partners have made several visits to the farm with ongoing support. A delegation of DPRK agricultural experts visited Langston University in 2004 for discussions and training in goat care, nutrition, cheese making, and artificial insemination. GRS began a several year program in 2004 to improve the goat breed at the farm through artificial insemination. A pelletizing machine was installed at the farm in 2007 to pelletize locally grown goat feed for winter storage. Currently the farm has over 3000 goats and regularly processes cheese, yogurt, and butter. Winter production is often continued using powdered milk.
3. Global Health Program and exchanges.
