Chronic malnutrition persists in DPRK despite improved harvests.

The UN report said that Production of staple foods in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK) has increased for the third year running, but many households still remain food insecure, according an assessment done by two United Nations agencies.

The joint Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme(WFP) indicates that total food production is estimated at about 5.03 million metric tons in 2013, a 5 percent increase over the previous year.

The report notes that although rates of child malnutrition have steadily declined over the past 10 years, many children in DPRK have stunted growth during their first three years, due to lack of appropriate nutrients in their diets.

To improve food security and nutrition, FAO and WFP recommend national and international support for sustainable farming practices, better price and market incentives for farmers and improvements in farm mechanization.