KOPIA Seed Potato Production Facility Completed: A Milestone for Agricultural Innovation in Pakistan

The Rural Development Administration (RDA) (Commissioner Kwon Jae-han) announced the completion of a disease-free seed potato production facility on August 7 at the National Agricultural Research Centre in Pakistan. The facility was inaugurated under the auspices of the Pakistan Center of the Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA)*.

Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA): An international development cooperation project managed by the RDA aimed at improving agricultural productivity and increasing the income of small-scale farmers in developing countries through the development and dissemination of locally tailored agricultural technologies.
The completion of the disease-free seed potato production facility is a significant achievement for the KOPIA Pakistan Center. The inauguration ceremony showcased two hydroponic greenhouses and 32 screen houses dedicated to the production of disease-free seed potatoes.

With the completion of these facilities through cooperation with the Pakistani government the RDA anticipates a significant boost in Pakistans agricultural productivity through enhanced seed potato production.

In Pakistan potatoes rank as the fourth most produced crop after rice wheat and sugarcane with an annual production of approximately 4.6 million tons. However due to reliance on imports and self-seeding for seed potatoes there has been a high risk of disease resulting in low productivity and income for farmers.

The inauguration of the disease-free seed potato production facility is expected to increase Pakistans self-sufficiency in seed potatoes potentially revolutionizing the countrys potato industry.

Goal of the KOPIA Pakistan Center’s seed potato project: To supply more than 30% of Pakistan’s seed potato requirements.
Following the inauguration an international symposium on seed potato production technology was held featuring experts from both Korea and Pakistan. The symposium included presentations and discussions on seed potato production technologies distribution and certification systems.

The event was attended by Park Ki-jun Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Pakistan Rana Tanveer Hussain Pakistans Minister of National Food Security and Research Ghulam Ali Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and Kwak Do-yeon Director General of the National Institute of Crop Science. The participants discussed ongoing cooperation and future development strategies between Korea and Pakistan.

Kwak Do-yeon Director General of the National Institute of Crop Science stated “The inauguration ceremony and symposium have strengthened agricultural technology cooperation between Korea and Pakistan.” He added “We will continue to enhance our collaboration with Pakistan to significantly contribute to improving agricultural productivity and strengthening food security in Pakistan.”

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