'African K-Rice Belt' Showing Results... First Harvest of 2,321 Tons of Rice Seeds

Exceeded 2023 Pilot Project Goal by 14%

Through the 'Africa K-Rice Belt Project,' which establishes rice seed production complexes to produce high-yield rice seeds and distribute them to farmers in African countries dependent on imports due to rice production shortages, the first harvest of rice seeds has been achieved.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Rural Development Administration announced on the 25th that through the K-Rice Belt Project, launched in 2023, a total of 2,321 tons of high-quality, high-yield rice seeds were harvested for the first time in six African countries.

By country, the amounts are Ghana 330 tons, Gambia 180 tons, Senegal 66 tons, Guinea 1,119 tons, Cameroon 111 tons, and Uganda 515 tons.

Harvesting Field (Cameroon)

The K-Rice Belt is a flagship Official Development Assistance (ODA) project that enhances Korea's international agricultural status. Utilizing the 2023 budget for the Rural Development Administration's overseas agricultural technology development project (KOPIA), seed pilot production began in six countries, and the final harvest of 2,321 tons exceeded the initial target of 2,040 tons by 14%. The harvested seed quantity will be distributed to farmers or provided to vulnerable groups in Africa after consultation with participating countries.

Based on the success of the pilot project, the government aims to gradually expand local seed production and, starting in 2027, produce and distribute 10,000 tons of high-yield rice seeds annually to farmers, thereby stably supplying food to 30 million people across the African continent.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is swiftly proceeding with the signing of Records of Discussion (RoD) with participating countries, and plans to begin land preparation, installation of irrigation and drainage channels, and maintenance of farm roads within the seed production complexes starting this year. Additionally, to ensure real-time communication with local governments, close project management, and crisis response, 'ODA Desks' will be established in key hub countries with personnel dispatched.

Jung Hye-ryeon, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "Although the local seed production infrastructure is not yet fully established and the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural machinery is limited, we achieved results exceeding our goals based on close communication between Korea and the participating African countries. We will meticulously manage the K-Rice Belt Project to ensure that the seeds produced this time become the seeds of innovation for Africa's food security."