RDA proposes solutions to the global food crisis through K-agricultural technology
Presents “5 major collaboration strategies” based on KOPIA and continental agricultural technology cooperation platforms
At a briefing session with foreign correspondents held at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on November 25, the Rural Development Administration announced that it will implement the “Five Major Collaboration Strategies for Agricultural Technology Official Development Assistance (ODA)” to maximize efficiency and expand outcomes in global agricultural development efforts.
Kim Hwang-yong, Director General of the RDA Technology Cooperation Bureau, emphasized that “Despite global efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), between 640 million and 720 million people worldwide are still suffering from hunger as of 2024, and collaboration has become increasingly crucial as ODA budgets from major donor countries decline.”
Through the Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) and continental cooperation platforms, the RDA has shared Korea’s agricultural development experience with developing countries, building a global R&D cooperation network of 80 participating nations including Korea. Based on this foundation, the agency will pursue five strategies: cooperation with partner governments, cooperation across ODA agencies, public–private partnership, cooperation with international organizations, and expanded utilization of the R&D network.
The RDA is working closely with governments of developing nations to disseminate locally tailored agricultural technologies and link them to national policy outcomes. In Uganda, a pilot village project for orange cultivation applied integrated pest control, irrigation, and pruning technologies, greatly increasing output—an achievement recognized globally with the Global Future Fit Award at the 2024 World Government Summit in the UAE.
In Pakistan, the development of disease-free seed potato production technology was adopted as a national project, leading to the construction of a 3.2-hectare seed production complex. From 2028, the country is expected to achieve a stable annual supply of 160,000 tons of seed potatoes.
A representative example of interagency cooperation is the K-Ricebelt Project, jointly promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the RDA. The project aims to establish a production system capable of supplying 10,000 tons of high-quality rice seed annually to seven African countries by 2027. Application of Korean seed production technology has significantly improved productivity—from 2.2 tons per hectare to 4.0 tons in 2024. The RDA is also supporting KOICA’s Saemaul Plus Poverty Eradication Program (SPEPP), with joint projects set to begin next year in Laos and Bangladesh.
Public–private collaboration is expanding as well. Through the K-Ricebelt project, approximately USD 2 million worth of Korean agricultural machinery and supplies are being provided to five African countries—Ghana, Senegal, Gambia, Kenya, and Guinea—contributing to the creation of long-term supply chains. In Uzbekistan, five Korean companies participating in the KOPIA program achieved a 20% improvement in dairy product productivity, leading to temporary approval of 10 animal pharmaceutical products and full registration of 2 products.
The RDA is also expanding the use of R&D networks to combat climate change and transboundary crop pests. Since 2020, the agency has led a collaborative program involving 15 countries in the fight against fall armyworm—a pest causing USD 6.2 billion in agricultural damage annually in Africa.
In Asia, the organization is utilizing the Asia Mobility Invasive Pest Monitoring System (AMIVS) under the Asia Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI) to jointly monitor pest data. It plans to establish a joint surveillance network across Asia and Africa and collaborate with research teams from France and Australia to develop integrated management technologies.
RDA Administrator Lee Seung-don stated, “Korea possesses globally recognized agricultural development expertise. Based on K-agricultural technology and extensive cooperation networks, we will contribute to strengthening food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development in developing countries.” He added that the initiative will also support global expansion and co-prosperity of Korea’s agricultural industry.