Korea's agricultural outreach innovates Mongolia, Africa, Uzbekistan

Korea’s Rural Development Administration (RDA) has made significant strides in its overseas agricultural official development assistance (ODA) projects, transforming decades-long obstacles into sustainable food security solutions. One of the most remarkable achievements is in Mongolia, where rice cultivation has finally succeeded after four decades of failure.

In Africa, the K-Rice Belt initiative has doubled rice productivity. In Uzbekistan, Korean agricultural technology is opening the door to machinery and livestock exports.

Mongolia, which has been entirely dependent on rice imports, amounting to about 50,000 tons annually, finally achieved its first successful domestic rice harvest in 2025. This monumental success is credited to the RDA’s Korea Program on International Agriculture center. The key to this breakthrough was the use of Korea’s early-maturing rice variety, Jinbuolbyeo, combined with a 40-day seedling technique and an early September harvest schedule, tailored to Mongolia’s short growing season.

Tests conducted in Bulgan District, Khovd Province, produced an impressive yield of approximately 310 kilograms per 10 ares. This achievement not only proves that rice can be cultivated in Mongolia’s challenging climate but also signifies a major step towards achieving food security for the nation.