Feeding Africa: How Korean Agricultural Tech is Driving a Rice Revolution

The K-Ricebelt project surpasses its target by 34%, introducing sustainable irrigation and infrastructure across the continent.

Sejong, 22 May 2026 — On 21 May, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Rural Development Administration (RDA) announced that a total of 6,365 tonnes of high-quality, high-yielding rice seeds have been produced in seven African countries through the K-Ricebelt project.

* 1 587 tonnes in the Republic of Senegal; 431 tonnes in the Republic of The Ghambia; 723 tonnes in the Republic of Guinea; 739 tonnes in the Republic of Ghana; 60 tonnes in the Republic of Cameroon; 3,670 tonnes in the Republic of Uganda; and 155 tonnes in the Republic of Kenya.

The K-Ricebelt project is the Republic of Korea’s official development assistance (ODA) initiative, aimed at contributing to achieving zero hunger in Africa. It achieves this by constructing large-scale zones for rice seed production in African countries, producing high-yielding rice seeds, and supplying them to local farmers. 

Now in its third year, the K-Ricebelt project recorded a rice seed production volume of 6,365 tonnes in 2025, exceeding the initial target of 4,752 tonnes by 34%. The cumulative production volume of rice seeds produced over the past three years stands at a total of 12,248 tonnes, with 2,321 tonnes in 2023, 3,562 tonnes in 2024, and 6,365 tonnes in 2025. 

Furthermore, the average yield of rice seeds produced through the project is 4.6 tonnes per hectare, more than double the 2.2 tonnes achieved through Africa’s conventional cultivation methods and native rice varieties. This result reflects continuous improvements in productivity and represents a 15% increase from the previous year’s average yield of 4 tonnes. Accordingly, local demand for Korean seed varieties is expected to continue growing. 

* 2023: 3.7 tonnes per hectare → 2024: 4.0 tonnes per hectare → 2025: 4.6 tonnes per hectare → 2026 (target): 5.0 tonnes per hectare

Of the 6,365 tonnes of rice seeds produced in 2025, 1,633 tonnes produced from the first cropping season are currently being supplied to farmers and vulnerable groups, following consultations with the participating nations. In addition, the Korean government plans to expand the distribution of the remaining 4,732 tonnes produced during the second cropping season, after further discussions with the participating countries.  

Alongside the expansion of rice seed production, the Korean government is working to establish sustainable local infrastructure under the K-Ricebelt project. Through the Korea Rural Community Corporation, rice seed production zones covering a total area of 520 hectares are being developed across seven African countries. Major agricultural infrastructure facilities, including irrigation and drainage canals, reservoirs, and pumping stations, are being constructed to suit the specific conditions of each country.

In particular, for Ghana, where the project was first launched, the Korean government plans to complete its major support packages this year. This includes developing a 100-hectare rice seed production zone, constructing irrigation and drainage canals and pumping stations, and providing customised agricultural machinery. Following the completion of this infrastructure, the government plans to commence full-scale rice seed production from 2027.  

In addition, to further expand the achievements of the K-Ricebelt project, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has welcomed the Republic of Sierra Leone to the initiative this year, increasing the number of participating countries from seven to eight.