Bolivian Potato Cultivation K-Agricultural Equipment Invested, Expected to Increase Productivity

The Rural Development Administration (Director Kwon Jae-han) announced on December 12 (local time) that it held an on-site demonstration of Korean-style agricultural machinery that is expected to increase productivity by being used throughout the potato cultivation cycle in the Sacaba region of Cochabamba, Bolivia.

 About 150 people, including the Bolivian Vice Minister of Rural Development, agricultural officials, local agricultural machinery importers (buyers), and farmers, attended the event and directly confirmed the excellence of K-agricultural machinery. They also showed great interest by watching demonstrations and operating methods by agricultural machinery experts.

 The agricultural machinery presented that day was produced by six domestic export companies that received technology transfer from the Rural Development Administration, and includes 10 types of potato cultivation machinery ^* suitable for Bolivia’s climate and environment .

*Agricultural machinery package: soil management machine, stone collector, seeder, sprayer, pesticide, harvester, sorter, etc.

 In particular, the potato planter received a great response because it can make ridges and furrows while sowing at the same time, which greatly reduces labor. The potato harvester is also expected to greatly contribute to improving productivity as it minimizes damage to the outer surface of the potato and allows for faster harvesting.

 Bolivia’s Minister of Rural Development Flores Laso said, “The introduction of Korean-style agricultural machinery that has been localized to Bolivia’s poor soil and steep, highland environment is expected to significantly increase potato productivity,” and emphasized, “We will strengthen cooperation by actively introducing Korean agricultural technology so that we can continue the sustainable development of Bolivian agriculture.”

Local agricultural machinery importers (buyers) and farmers also agreed that the introduction of Korean-style agricultural machinery would greatly increase the efficiency of farming work, drastically reduce labor intensity, and greatly contribute to increasing potato productivity.

 The Rural Development Administration  plans to stably apply agricultural machinery and materials packages locally based on the Overseas Agricultural Technology Development Program (KOPIA) ^{* Bolivia Center and establish a foundation for expanding exports to Central and South America in the future.}

 * Overseas Agricultural Technology Development Project (KOPIA; Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture): An international development cooperation project led by the Rural Development Administration. The goal is to improve agricultural productivity and increase the income of small farmers in partner countries through the development and dissemination of customized agricultural technology in developing countries.

 “Through this demonstration, we have created a turning point that will promote the excellence of Korean agricultural machinery and equipment and further contribute to increasing potato productivity in Bolivia,” said Wi Tae-seok, head of the Export Agriculture Support Division at the Rural Development Administration. “We will work hard to expand this successful model to neighboring Central and South American countries with similar environments so that we can open up new export markets.”

Editor. Hong Se-yeong