Officials from the KOPIA Uganda Center distribute bags of rice seeds developed by the center to farmers in Doho, Uganda, in November 2023. (Courtesy of the Rural Development Administration)

South Korea is expanding its agricultural development partnership with Africa, targeting the production of more than 11,000 tons of seed rice annually across the continent by 2027 under the K-Ricebelt initiative.

Led by the Rural Development Administration (RDA), the project forms part of Seoul’s official development assistance (ODA) strategy aimed at strengthening food security, improving agricultural productivity, and building long-term self-reliance in African rice production systems.

Under the K-Ricebelt program, seven participating countries — Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon, and Kenya — are expected to collectively produce 11,140 tons of seed rice per year by 2027. This marks a dramatic increase from 2,300 tons recorded in 2023. The projected seed volume would be sufficient to cultivate approximately 223,000 hectares of farmland and generate an estimated 2.16 million tons of rice, potentially feeding around 30 million people based on average annual consumption levels.

Raising Rice Yields Across Africa

A core objective of K-Ricebelt is to increase average rice productivity in Africa to six tons per hectare. Before the program began, yields averaged just 2.2 tons per hectare. By the end of 2023, productivity had risen to 3.7 tons, climbing further to four tons in 2024 — a significant improvement but still below Asian averages.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Africa’s average rice yield stood at 2.3 tons per hectare in 2021, less than half of Asia’s 4.9 tons. Rising demand driven by population growth and urbanization has intensified pressure on supply, with the continent importing approximately 17 million tons of rice worth $7.5 billion annually.

The RDA is implementing the initiative through its Rice Seed Production Improvement for Africa (RiceSPIA) program, coordinated by the Korea Program for International Cooperation in Agricultural Technology (KOPIA). Regional KOPIA centers operate in seven African countries, overseeing seed production, packaging, distribution, and weekly monitoring of rice cultivation progress.

Introducing High-Yield Korean Rice Varieties

To address low productivity and pest resistance challenges, South Korea introduced Tongil rice, a high-yield hybrid developed from Indica and Japonica varieties. In Senegal, trials conducted in partnership with the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research led to the registration of two Tongil strains as Isriz-6 and Isriz-7.

Field results have shown that these varieties can produce more than double the yields of local Sahel rice while achieving strong market acceptance. In Senegal, Tongil rice has sold at higher prices than traditional varieties, reflecting improved quality and consumer demand.

Beyond seed development, the program includes large-scale farmer training initiatives. Approximately 5,000 local agricultural personnel have received instruction across the rice value chain, from cultivation techniques to harvesting and post-harvest management.

Expanding Korean Agricultural Machinery in Africa

Improved seed production is being complemented by mechanization support. Five participating African countries have imported Korean tractors, rice transplanters, combines, and dryers to support K-Ricebelt operations. Around 30 Korean companies — including major manufacturers such as Daedong and LS Mtron — are supplying equipment tailored to local conditions.

As of early 2026, approximately 250 types of agricultural machinery had been exported to Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Ghana, and Kenya. In Guinea, the introduction of Korean rice dryers significantly improved post-harvest efficiency, reducing reliance on sun drying and boosting production capacity beyond previous limits of 300 tons per cultivation cycle.

Strengthening Africa’s Food Security

The K-Ricebelt initiative was launched as Africa’s agricultural sector faced mounting vulnerabilities, including declining soil productivity, climate stress, and limited mechanization. Rice, the continent’s second most important staple after cassava, has experienced sustained demand growth of approximately 6 percent per year.

With 21 of Africa’s 39 rice-producing countries relying on imports for up to 90 percent of domestic consumption, the program aims to reduce dependency on global markets while fostering local seed systems and sustainable production models.

An RDA official noted that the program exceeded its initial targets, producing 2,321 tons of seed rice in 2023 — 114 percent of its goal — and 3,600 tons across seven countries in 2024. First-half production in 2025 reached 2,300 tons, with full-year output expected to surpass the annual target of 4,752 tons.

By combining improved seed varieties, farmer training, and agricultural mechanization, South Korea’s K-Ricebelt project is positioning itself as a long-term partnership model aimed at strengthening Africa’s rice self-sufficiency and supporting broader agricultural modernization across the continent.