Existing stocks of cereals are broadly expected to last between May to July. Oil will last until May in all the institutions that were visited. Stocks of pulses will last for longer periods. All three counties are primarily agricultural and the general population is still able to subsist on last year s harvest. These have progressively fallen since then to current rations of 200 gms per person per day.
Rations consist of equal amounts of maize and wheat.
Main agricultural activities at this time of the year are manuring of seedbeds. Some mulching of seedbeds is also observed. People from towns in large numbers are seen going out to farms to help farmers at this busy time of year. Long trains of ox-carts carrying human waste manure were seen going out of Hamhung. Birds are frequently observed.