N.Korea, Russian province to set up farm project

North Korea and a province in the Russian Far East have agreed to establish a joint venture to produce food.

A visiting North Korean delegation met the governor of Amur province, Oleg Kozhemyako, on Tuesday.

Provincial government officials said the 2 sides will launch the joint venture next year at the earliest. The company will breed 1,000 cows for meat, 500 goats, and grow wheat and soybeans.

Amur is one of the top agricultural producers in the Russian Far East. Most of the joint venture's output will be exported to North Korea to help ease its serious food shortages.

Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il visited Russia for the first time in 9 years to strengthen ties with the country in the energy and security fields.