Korean Aquaculture Technology Reaches to Africa, S. America & SE Asia

National Fisheries Research & Development Institute(NFRDI) is promoting, under the catchphrase “Global Korea, Viva NFRDI”, a project to transfer its advanced aquaculture technology to developing countries in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia, which is aimed to help those countries to achieve their food sufficiency.

Under the project, NFRDI carries out two sub-programs, which are (1) technology transfer through ODA and (2) establishment of research cooperation centers.

As for the technology transfer, NFRDI has joined with KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) to initiate a project for three African countries (Algeria, Tunisia and Senegal) since 2008 with a total fund of 4.5 billion won (about 4.5 million dollar), in which NFRDI supported to construct shrimp farms and to train on aquaculture of fish and oyster. The institute has so far invited and trained 20 aquaculture specialists from the African countries and sent Korean specialists to Africa for 12 times for feasibility study on the aquaculture farm construction.

Last June, Korea also laid a foundation for cooperation relationship with South America when the minister of Aquaculture and Fisheries of Brazil visited Korea and signed on MOU with the minister of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of South Korea. At the MOU, the Korean minister pledged to do his best for technological transfer of aquaculture to the South American country.

As a follow-up activity, a group of aquaculture specialists of NFRDI went for a business trip to S. American countries to survey on aquaculture farm construction and business opportunities for related industry.

As for the establishment of research cooperation centers, NFRDI is conducting a prior-survey on 8 countries in Africa, S. America and SE Asia to look for appropriate sites for the cooperation centers. Through the cooperation project, the institute is planned to transfer Korean aquaculture technology in a way that is the most suited for each country.