RDA Completes 'Seed Potato Integrated Production Complex' in Pakistan... 1,200 Tons to be Produced This Year

The 'KOPIA Seed Potato Integrated Production Complex' has been completed in Pakistan. Using this production complex as a base, 1,200 tons of seed potatoes will be produced this year, with plans to increase the supply to 160,000 tons by 2028.

On the 24th (local time), the Rural Development Administration (RDA) announced that it held a completion ceremony for the 'KOPIA Disease-free Seed Potato Integrated Production Complex' at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC).

On the 24th (local time), at the completion ceremony of the 'KOPIA Disease-Free Seed Potato Comprehensive Production Complex' held at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) and Kwon Jae-han, Administrator of the Rural Development Administration, are shaking hands. (Photo by Rural Development Administration)

Since 2020, the RDA has been implementing the overseas agricultural technology development project (KOPIA) in Pakistan, developing locally customized agricultural technologies. In particular, by applying hydroponic cultivation technology, the productivity of disease-free seed potatoes in Pakistan was increased sixfold. Based on these achievements, the Pakistani government designated the 'Establishment of a Disease-free Seed Potato Self-sufficiency System' as a national project in May 2023, and both countries agreed to jointly invest $2.5 million each over five years (2023?2028) for the establishment of the disease-free seed potato production complex.

An RDA official stated, "As a result, we have established the approximately 3.2-hectare KOPIA Disease-free Seed Potato Integrated Production Complex equipped with advanced facilities such as hydroponic greenhouses, multiplication net houses, and cold storage." He added, "Using this production complex as a base, we plan to produce 1,200 tons of seed potatoes by 2025 and increase the annual supply to 160,000 tons (about 30% of Pakistan's total demand) by 2028."

Through this, Pakistan is expected to establish a practical foundation for seed potato self-sufficiency, and the productivity of potatoes, a major food crop and source of income, is anticipated to improve significantly, according to the RDA. The establishment of the KOPIA Disease-free Seed Potato Integrated Production Complex is evaluated as a case where the excellent results of agricultural technology official development assistance (ODA) projects have been internalized and expanded into the recipient country's government policy.

Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, who attended the completion ceremony, said, "The completion of the seed potato integrated production complex will be a major turning point for the development of Pakistan's agriculture." He expressed gratitude to the government of the Republic of Korea and hoped that the strong cooperative relationship between Korea and Pakistan would be further strengthened.

In response, Administrator Kwon said, "Based on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's full support, the cooperative relationship between the two countries will be further strengthened." He added, "We will continue agricultural technology cooperation between Korea and Pakistan to contribute to improving Pakistan's agricultural productivity and strengthening food security."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.