South Korea plans to expand its official development assistance (ODA) to 50 nations by 2029, the agriculture ministry. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 11 (Yonhap) – South Korea plans to expand its official development assistance (ODA) to 50 nations by 2029, the agriculture ministry said Tuesday, a move partly aimed at strengthening the global competitiveness of the country’s agri-food industry.
The move comes as part of the government’s five-year plan to bolster the country’s international agriculture cooperation projects, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Under the plan, the government will extend ODA programs in the agriculture sector to 50 countries by 2029, providing food assistance and overall support to foster their agricultural development.
In 2023, South Korea launched the “K-Ricebelt” initiative, aimed at exporting rice varieties, production technologies and farming know-how to developing nations to help improve their food security.
Currently, seven African nations, including Senegal, Ghana and Kenya, have adopted the initiative, and seven other nations in Africa have signed an initial agreement with the Korean government for the project.
The ministry said it will also work to create at least 10 collaboration models to foster cooperation among the government, businesses, international organizations and nonprofit organizations to help local agriculture companies break into the global market.
“This comprehensive plan bears significance as it is a win-win plan that looks back on the achievements of the country’s agriculture ODA programs for the past 20 years and, at the same time, supports the growth of the agricultural industry in partner countries, as well as the overseas expansion of Korean companies,” Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said.
(Yonhap)
