KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 9
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal hosted the 2024 Korea-Nepal Agriculture Cooperation Seminar in Kathmandu on December 8, celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The seminar highlighted the collaboration between Nepal and South Korea in the agricultural sector, following the signing of a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) on November 2, 2023.
The MoU is aimed at advancing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of agricultural science and technology, agriculture and livestock production and agricultural processing and production, the South Korean embassy said.
Nepal Agricultural Research Council and Korea Agricultural Research Council can now advance research activities in the field of agricultural sector, the embassy further said.
A delegation from the KOPIA Division, Rural Development Administration of Korea, attended the seminar and expressed their intent to establish a KOPIA Center in Nepal.
During the seminar, the South Korean Ambassador highlighted the milestones in agricultural collaboration between the two nations.
"Over the past decades, agriculture has been a cornerstone of our cooperation, reflecting our shared commitment to the prosperity of rural communities and sustainable development. This year, to commemorate our 50 years of friendship, Korea has established a 'Korea-Nepal Model Dairy village in Kamalamai Municipality, Sindhuli District and launched various ODA projects aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods."
"Our collaboration has been further strengthened by the active engagement of organizations like KOICA, which has worked closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Through initiatives such as increasing incomes in rural areas, developing value chain of fruit and vegetable, and supporting rural development, KOICA Nepal Office has been a vital partner in driving meaningful change," he added.
Ambassador said, "Looking ahead, I am delighted to share that starting next year, we plan to initiate technical research and provide support through KOPIA (Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture) project from Rural Development Administration of Korea to improve the productivity of rice and potatoes which are essential crops in Nepal. These two agencies-KOICA and KOPIA-will create synergies together and continue to be instrumental in our efforts to modernize agriculture, enhance food security, and uplift rural communities in Nepal."
"The Government of the Republic of Korea is committed to deepening our agricultural partnership by sharing expertise, technology, and resources. Together, we can achieve our shared vision of resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, ensuring prosperity for generations to come," he further added.