The government will provide 100,000 tons of humanitarian rice next year… Seed supply to 7 countries of the K-Rice Belt｜The Dong-A Ilbo

The government will drastically expand humanitarian food aid in response to the global food crisis. It will double the amount of rice support for refugees and migrants in food crisis countries, and establish a stable food supply base by distributing domestic rice varieties to seven African countries.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that President Yoon Seok-yeol, who attended the G7 summit held in Japan on the 20th as an invited country, announced plans to strengthen global food security in a session on expanding food, health, development and gender equality.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Korea plans to double the scale of humanitarian rice aid through the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) from next year to 100,000 tons. Since joining the Food Aid Convention (FAC) in 2018, Korea has donated 50,000 tons of rice every year to countries in crisis. This year, it plans to support up to 4 million refugees and migrants from Yemen, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Syria and Afghanistan.

Through the K-Ricebelt, a stable food supply base is established in seven African countries, including Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda, and Kenya.

The Rural Development Administration developed in 2017 supports a system that can produce and distribute high-yield rice seeds based on unified rice suitable for the local climate and environment in Africa. The variety is evaluated to show 2 to 3 times higher productivity than local varieties.

Along with the supply of rice varieties, irrigation facilities are established, agricultural machinery is supplied, and post-harvest treatment techniques are also transferred. Starting with the pilot production of 2,000 tons of rice seeds this year, the government plans to produce and distribute 10,000 tons of rice seeds and 223,000 hectares of plantation every year in seven countries by 2027 to provide a stable food supply to 30 million people annually.

In addition, the 10 ASEAN countries and Korea, China, and Japan decided to increase the amount of contributions to the ‘ASEAN+3 Emergency Rice Reserve Festival (APTERR)’, which stockpiles rice in preparation for food crises such as disasters and provides emergency support. Through the festival, 19,000 tons of rice was donated to five countries: Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, Laos, and Cambodia.

In addition, at this meeting, the G7 and the host countries, including Korea, adopted the ‘Hiroshima Statement of Action for Resilient World Food Security’. The statement aims to strengthen international cooperation to respond to urgent food crises, prepare for future food security crises, and promote resilient global food security and nutrition.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, “Korea has confirmed its status as a responsible member of the international community by discussing global food security issues with the G7 leading the world economy and adopting an action statement.” We will carry out follow-up measures, such as expanding the volume of the ASEAN+3 emergency rice stockpiles, without a hitch.”

[세종=뉴시스]