The earth is parched and cracked here in North Korea.

According to state media KCNA, a drought has taken hold in the west of the country.

These were once lush corn and rice fields.

Now these crops are withering away, with nearly 20,000 heactares damaged in one province.

One farmer says the dry spell has stunted his crops.

(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) PAEK YONG-CHOL, MANAGEMENT BOARD CHAIRMAN OF KOYON CO-OP FARM, SAYING:

"The corn of this species is harvested around late July after a growth period of 80-85 days, but this corn has not matured fully due to the severe drought."

South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported the drought in the North was expected to exacerbate chronic food shortages in the impoverished country.

According to the United Nations' food agency, three million North Koreans are in urgent need of food aid.

Travis Brecher, Reuters