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 long-standing challenges into sustainable food security solutions. One of the most remarkable achievements has been in Mongolia, where rice cultivation finally succeeded after decades of failed attempts.

In Africa, the RDA's K-Rice Belt initiative has doubled rice productivity. Meanwhile, in Uzbekistan, Korean agricultural technology is opening the door for machinery and livestock exports.

Mongolia, which had been entirely reliant on rice imports, amounting to about 50,000 tons annually, finally achieved a successful domestic rice harvest in 2025. This milestone was made possible by 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.

Test plots in Bulgan District, Khovd Province, demonstrated the potential of this approach. They yielded about 310 kilograms per 10 ares, marking a significant achievement that demonstrated rice could indeed be grown in Mongolia's challenging climate. This innovation not only secured a reliable local food source but also marked a new chapter in Mongolia's agricultural history.