Agricultural reforms announced last year are being met with skepticism from farmers, Radio Free Asia has reported.

The reforms introduced to allow farmers to keep 30% of their harvest. Prior to the announcement of the policy, the farmers were much more at the mercy of the state in North Korea. Trials were announced around that time, but Radio Free Asia has confirmed that the policy was introduced in South Hamgyong Province at the turn of the year.

Although the policy should in theory benefit farmers, some are not wholly convinced. A source told RFA that farmers were still a little unsure of how the policy would be implemented. Some were said to be skeptical about whether they would get to keep all 30% or whether farm managers would siphon off anything.

As well as uncertainty of how the policy would be implemented, several farmers are distrustful of the regime's intentions.

Source: Radio Free Asia.