{
  "id": 18543452,
  "title": "Kenya, South Korea deepen agricultural ties through rice self-sufficiency project",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/kenya-south-korea-deepen-agricultural-ties-through-rice-self",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T13:13:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KBC",
    "slug": "kbc",
    "url": "https://www.kbc.co.ke/kenya-south-korea-deepen-agricultural-ties-through-rice-self-sufficiency-project/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kenya and South Korea are strengthening their agricultural partnership through a rice self-sufficiency project. The initiative aims to boost domestic rice production, enhance access to certified seeds, and lessen Kenya's dependence on imports. Executed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and the Korea Partnership for Innovation in Agriculture (KOPIA), the collaboration has achieved a significant step with the initial rice seedling transplant at the Kirogo Research Farm in Mwea, Kirinyaga County. This marks the beginning of 7.2 hectares of paddy fields designated for certified rice seed production, set to grow to an ambitious 65 hectares in total. Currently, Kenya's rice consumption exceeds domestic production by a wide margin, with demand at 1.3 million metric tonnes annually and local yield at just 305,000 metric tonnes, leaving the country heavily reliant on imports. Dr Benjamin Kivuva, director of crop system research at KALRO, emphasized that the project would address the critical issue of certified seed availability, which hampers farmers' access to high-quality planting materials, productivity, and the expansion of local production. The Republic of Korea, through KOPIA, is backing the initiative with a focus on seed production infrastructure, mechanized farming, and the integration of advanced agricultural technologies. Jigang Kim, director of the KOPIA Kenya Centre, reiterated South Korea's commitment to advancing Kenya's agricultural sector, highlighting the goal of producing 330 metric tonnes of certified rice seed by 2026. The project's expansion plans include the construction of a full 65-hectare paddy field, which will fortify Kenya's seed production system and promote the adoption of improved cultivation techniques across the nation. This partnership not only reflects South Korea's role in Kenya's agricultural modernization through technology transfer and expertise but also offers local researchers and farmers the chance to benefit from enhanced farming practices and more efficient seed production methods. The K-RiceBelt project is poised to play a pivotal role in Kenya's 2032 rice self-sufficiency ambition by tackling production limitations that have constrained local output.",
  "summary": "The K-RiceBelt project is developing dedicated seed production fields in Kirinyaga, with South Korea providing technical and infrastructure support. The post Kenya, South Korea deepen agricultural ties through rice self-sufficiency project appeared first on KBC Digital .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}