SEOUL, South Korea’s agriculture ministry said Tuesday it plans to host an agricultural conference this week to enhance cooperation with African nations and share ideas on food and climate issues.

The Korea-Africa Agricultural Conference will be held in Seoul on Wednesday on the sidelines of the two-day Korea-Africa Summit that started on the day bringing together delegations from 48 African countries, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

During the event, South Korea and African nations plan to share ideas on establishing future-oriented relationships to address global issues, including climate change, the ministry said.

“Based on South Korea’s experience of overcoming food shortages, the country will support the agricultural development of Africa,” Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said in a statement.

“We plan to carry out agricultural diplomacy efforts and promote Korean food and agricultural equipment to pave the way for South Korean firms’ entrance into the African mar
ket,” Song added.

The ministry will also ink memoranda of understanding with Madagascar, Malawi, Angola and Zimbabwe to launch the K-Rice Belt project.

South Korea currently operates the initiative, which aims at supplying high-yield rice varieties and sharing its farming know-how, with 10 African nations.

South Korea will also sign a separate agreement with Comoros to share agricultural knowledge and expand private exchanges, the ministry added.

Source: Yonhap News Agency