To solve the hunger issue in Africa, the South Korean government and local countries have jointly implemented the 'K-Rice Belt' project, producing a total of 3,562 tons of rice seeds across seven countries last year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 27th. This amount exceeds the initial production goal of 3,000 tons by approximately 20%.
The K-Rice Belt project aims to establish rice seed production complexes in African countries and distribute high-yield rice seeds to farmers. It is a representative international agricultural cooperation project of South Korea aimed at contributing to ending Kia.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Uganda produced 1,765 tons of seed rice last year. Additionally, Ghana produced 689 tons, Guinea 640 tons, Senegal 267 tons, Gambia 146 tons, Kenya 31 tons, and Cameroon 24 tons.
The total production of 3,562 tons marks a 53% (1,241 tons) increase compared to the previous year's output of 2,321 tons. The average productivity also rose to 4 tons per hectare (ha), an 8% increase from 3.7 tons in 2023. This level is 67% higher than the average local variety productivity of 2.4 tons/1ha.
The harvested seeds will be distributed to local farmers in consultation with the project target countries. Any remaining surplus will be provided to vulnerable groups.
With an increasing number of countries hoping to participate in the K-Rice Belt project, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Rural Development Administration are in full preparation for new projects to expand the K-Rice Belt. A Ministry official noted, "We have completed local feasibility studies for the three new countries—Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea-Bissau—and successfully completed pilot farm projects to analyze the local adaptability of K-varieties and farmers' responses."
Locally, the K-variety, improved from 'Unified Rice,' is being evaluated as easy to manage, with strong disease and pest resistance as well as superior taste and aroma compared to local varieties. Zachariah Ahmed Jallo, Director General of the Sierra Leone Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said, "We were able to directly confirm the excellence of K-varieties through the seed pilot farm project and hope that the K-Rice Belt project will play a crucial role in solving Sierra Leone's food issues."
The government plans to expand the excellent outcomes of the K-Rice Belt project to the southern regions. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) last year with four countries—Madagascar, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Angola—that expressed their willingness to participate in the project.
Additionally, the seed-centered project plans to support the K-Rice Belt project as a platform for agricultural and rural development in Africa, in connection with rice processing and distribution industry support and improving rural living conditions.
Jeong Hyeryeon, Director General for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "The harvest results achieved this time and the high average yields are concrete indicators proving the effectiveness of the K-Rice Belt project, and I hope that the excellent case of this project will spread to neighboring African countries, alleviating the food crisis and contributing to enhancing South Korea's international status."