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| A researcher at a Korea Project in the International Agriculture (KOPIA) center in Sri Lanka talks to workers on a strawberry farm. The Rural Development Administration operates KOPIA centers in 20 developing countries to share its agricultural knowhow and knowledge. / Courtesy of Rural Development Administration |
By Lee Hyo-sik
The Rural Development Administration (RDA), the state-run agricultural research institute, has been sharing its state-of-the-art agricultural knowhow and knowledge with developing nations in Asia, Africa and South America over the years.
The institute has been helping them boost production, control pests and diversify farm products.
RDA operates Korea Project on International Agriculture (KOPIA) centers in 20 countries (eight in Asia, six in Africa and six in South America) in its campaign to share its knowhow with the developing world. More than 9 billion won ($8.26 million) has been allocated this year to manage the centers, each of which has nine RDA employees all year around. It first established KOPIA centers in five countries in 2009.
"Our KOPIA employees provide on-the-spot, tailor-made technical assistance, undertake joint research activities with host countries and offer training programs,'' an RDA spokesman said. ''In Vietnam, we are helping local farmers to increase vegetable production. Farmers in Cambodia learn how to breed chickens more effectively. In Kenya, our employees have been teaching how to cultivate seed potatoes and other staple crops."
The centers also provide assistance to Korean agricultural firms seeking to advance into developing countries.
"Some local companies want to secure farmland to cultivate a wide range of crops and bring them into Korea," the spokesman said. "We not only offer them technical assistance, but also help them in buying farmland, hiring workers and exploring the consumer market in host countries."
The RDA has also been sending university students majoring in agricultural science abroad. This year, the institute has sent 123 students to its KOPIA centers. The students gain valuable on-the-ground knowledge and experience while working with RDA employees in developing countries.
The RDA, founded in 1906, has its headquarters in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, and operates four research affiliates specializing in crops, horticulture, herbs and livestock.
