Korea, African nations to cooperate on farming, food

Korea and 18 African nations are now cooperating on developing farming technology and upgrading farming villages across the continent.

The third Korea-Africa Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (KAFACI) was held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from May 11 to May 13. The KAFACI was established by Korea's Rural Development Administration (RDA) and the various African governments, including those of Angola and Cameroon, in 2010. Its goal is to solve problems related to agriculture and farming across the continent. The RDA holds a general assembly every other year.

The RDA and the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) in Zimbabwe together hosted an agriculture and farming development forum on May 11. At the forum, professionals from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) all presented the results of their cooperative projects with the KAFACI and suggested proposals for further cooperation.

The RDA has been jointly pursuing a project with the AGRA to help governments on the continent become self-sufficient in terms of technology to improve rice breeds. As a result of these efforts, the RDA gave presentations on high-yield and virus-resistant rice varieties and discussed how to expand the project.

Representatives of the 19 member-nations of the KAFACI share information about their agricultural policies, research and development and training and education for farmers, at the general assembly meeting on May 12.

During the general assembly meeting the next day, agricultural policymakers from the 19 KAFACI member-nations evaluated their existing projects over the past two years and selected new projects. They shared information about their agricultural policies, research and development and training and education for farmers. They also discussed the efficacy of the KAFACI projects in developing the agricultural industry and farming in general and the need to expand their projects. Members agreed to form networks to develop rice breeds for specific soils, to mechanize farming and to exchange soil and environmental information.