South Korea launches ‘K-rice belt’ initiative for food security of African nations

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea launched the "K-rice belt" initiative on Monday with eight African nations to ensure sustainable food security.

As part of Seoul's official development assistance, the project aims to provide high-yield rice varieties, agricultural machinery and necessary facilities for Africa which involves sharing expertise and technologies in crop cultivation and distribution, the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported.

South Korea signed a memorandum of understanding with eight African nations including Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda, Kenya and Guinea-Bissau to implement the initiative, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The initiative aims to produce 2,000 tons of rice in Africa this year, increasing it to over 10,000 tons annually by 2027, which would provide enough food for approximately 30 million people in underdeveloped nations each year.

South Korean Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Chung Hwang-keun last month visited Guinea and Guinea-Bissau in West Africa to discuss ways of cooperation for food security in Africa.

They discussed transferring South Korea's agricultural expertise and the minister said that Seoul will distribute high-yielding and high-quality rice varieties to Africa as well as support infrastructure and technical training through the "K-rice belt" initiative.