North Korean food production rising

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ROME, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- U.N. agencies said production of staple food crops in North Korea is on the rise, though millions of people remain at risk of malnourishment.

A joint assessment from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program said food production increased for a second consecutive year in North Korea.

"The country needs to produce more protein-rich foods like soybeans and fish and to put more effort into growing two crops a year so a more varied diet is available for everyone," FAO economist Kisan Gunjal said in a statement.

Soybean production, in particular, was declined in part because of drought in the first half of the 2012 growing season.

The U.N. agencies said they expected overall food production for the main 2012 harvest and early 213 should reach more than 5.8 million tons, a 10 percent increase from the previous year.