In a marked step toward strengthening Africa’s agricultural capacity, South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs launched the K-Rice Belt project on July 3. The initiative seeks to improve African rice production by sharing high-yield Korean rice seeds and advanced agricultural technology.

In a conference in Seoul, ROK agriculture minister Chung Hwang-keun, representatives from the eight participating African nations and the deputy director of the African Development Bank announced the project’s official inauguration. During the conference, Chung pledged sustained efforts to increase Africa’s rice self-sufficiency.