Now, North Korea produces 'functional vegetables' to improve people's diet
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As per KCNA, the institute is equipped with bioengineering research facilities. It all sounds too good to be true for a country which has for years relied on regular supplies of UN Food Aid.
"Stay safe, stay healthy", that's the mantra these days. And in North Korea, things are being done a little differently. There are vegetables and then there are "functional vegetables". Sounds bizarre right?
In these strange times it seems like anything is possible. An institute in North Korea is reportedly producing various types of "functional vegetables" with the aim to improve people's diet and health.
A video by North Korea's official news agency KCNA gives a sneak peek. It claims to show workers at the Pyongyang vegetable science institute looking after plants like peppers and tomatoes.
A researcher at Pyongyang vegetable science institute, Im Byong Sop, said: "In particular, Gynura Biocolor which was recently produced has 20 to 30 times the amount of iron than vegetables planted outside. It is the ideal vegetable for women who have just given birth or for people with anemia due to a lack of iron. We will continue to research ways to produce more kinds of vegetables and contribute to improving the health of the people."
As per KCNA, the institute is equipped with bioengineering research facilities. It all sounds too good to be true for a country which has for years relied on regular supplies of UN Food Aid.
Amid the pandemic, North Korea also claims to have zero COVID-19 cases. It shut its borders in January when cases surged in China but its claim of being COVID-19 free has been viewed with suspicion.