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Such programs, he said, also help in building capacity and transferring technology to promote sustainability and resilience, especially in light of the escalating threat of global climate change.
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Ruto noted that food security has a high development potential and requires urgent attention.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto has called for the extension of the K-Rice Korea program to other countries across Africa.
In his address during the opening session of the inaugural Korea-Africa forum at KINTEX in north Seoul, Ruto stressed the importance of sharing knowledge and expertise in rice farming as part of measures to address food security.
The initiative, he pointed out, has been successful, immensely benefiting several countries including Kenya.
“It is important that this summit point the way for initiatives like the K-Rice Korea program, of which Kenya is an active participant, to be extended across Africa,” he said while applauding Korea’s willingness to collaborate with African nations in enhancing food production.
Such programs, he said, also help in building capacity and transferring technology to promote sustainability and resilience, especially in light of the escalating threat of global climate change.
Ruto noted that food security has a high development potential and requires urgent attention.
The K-Rice program aims to provide farmers with quality rice varieties and share top-notch farming know-how.
It focuses on sustainable food security, high-yield rice production, and agricultural development.
Seoul signed a memorandum of understanding with eight African countries- Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda, Kenya and Guinea-Bissau to ensure sustainable food security.
The project involves supplying high-yield rice varieties, and agricultural machinery, and building necessary facilities like irrigation systems.
The initiative aims to harvest around 2,000 tons of rice varieties in Africa this year, with the figure expected to rise to over 10,000 tons per year starting in 2027.
This level of production can feed approximately 30 million people in underdeveloped nations annually Korea said.
Earlier on, Ruto held bilateral talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to review the progress of the Sh132 billion Framework Arrangement partnership agreed upon during his last visit in November 2022.
The partnership focuses on key projects, including water and irrigation, agriculture, infrastructure, and the creative economy.
During the meeting, the head of state announced that Kenya has secured $485 million (Sh63 billion) concessional development loan from the Republic of South Korea.
The facility, he said, includes $238 million (Sh30.9 billion) for the Konza Digital Media City Project.
"We value our strong relations with South Korea, which continues to make a significant contribution to Kenya's development, especially in technology," he said.