Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE and South Korea enjoy cordial relations. The Zimbabwean Government’s compelling vision to advance food security, promote sustainable agriculture, and foster innovation in farming practices is not only resonating with its national goals but also global imperatives that closely align with Korea’s philosophy of inclusive and forward-looking development cooperation.
In this context, two initiatives stand out as promising pathways for transformation that is, smart farming and the One Country, One Product (OCOP) initiative. Both reflect South Korea’s own journey in agricultural innovation and rural development, and offer opportunities for partnership between the two countries.
The smart farming initiative means turning constraints into innovation. Korea’s agricultural journey has been defined by resilience and innovation. The land area of Korea is around 100 000 square km — about four times smaller than Zimbabwe — and about 70 percent of it is mountainous, leaving only a small portion as arable land for farming. According to the World Bank, South Korea ranks among the countries with the least arable land per capita in the world.
Yet, these constraints became a catalyst for innovation. This challenge became an opportunity — one that led to the emergence of smart farming. Through this approach, South Korea has applied advanced technologies and strategic policies to enhance efficiency, resilience and sustainability in agriculture. From the post-war food shortages in the 1960s and 1970s, to becoming a global leader in agricultural technology, South Korea’s journey has been anchored in innovation, targeted support for smallholder farmers and strong partnerships.
Today, South Korean farmers benefit from smart systems and climate-resilient technologies that improve productivity, lower input costs, and safeguard the environment. Smart farming technologies are continually evolving, incorporating cutting-edge innovations such as the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), drone technology and robotics.
These tools have increased productivity by 30 to 40 percent, while reducing labour time to just two to three hours per day. AI-based early warning systems now provide remarkable accuracy in detecting plant diseases, helping farmers take action early and effectively.
In this spirit, the South Korean government is proud to support Zimbabwe’s efforts through various development cooperation initiatives. To this end, the Embassy of South Korea will soon hand over agricultural equipment to support smallholder farmers in rural areas.
It is hoped that ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development will be finalised promptly so that the equipment may be deployed and utilised without delay. And in doing so, South Korea believes that such technologies must be inclusive, empowering not only large-scale commercial farms, but also smallholder farmers, women and youth.
The OCOP initiative, launched by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2021 and now being implemented in Zimbabwe, also resonates deeply with Korea’s experience. More than 20 years ago, South Korea launched the “One Village, One Product” (OVOP) movement.
The initiative empowered rural communities by helping them identify a unique local product, develop a brand, and add value through processing, packaging, marketing. It even contributed greatly to rural tourism.
Products like garlic, sweet potatoes, and herbs were transformed into successful local brands that revitalised rural economies. South Korea’s experience shows that with the right support, clear vision and market linkages, rural communities can become the drivers of their own development.
From production to processing to marketing and distribution, a strong value chain can uplift entire regions and contribute to national growth. This model, OVOP or OCOP, holds great promise for Zimbabwe, too, as it seeks to diversify its economy and boost agricultural earnings.
South Korea is dedicated to strengthening ties with Zimbabwe. It is keen to create opportunities for collaboration, including knowledge exchange, joint research, and sharing best practices between the two nations.
South Korea, as a true friend of Zimbabwe, stands ready to support the success of Zimbabwe’s rural development. Through innovation and partnership, we can cultivate not just crops, but lasting and transformative impact.
Ambassador Park Jae Kyung was talking to Zimpapers Politics Hub’s Gibson Nyikadzino
