Rural Development: Minister Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani in Seoul to Draw Inspiration from the South Korean Model

The Ivorian Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production, Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, is currently visiting South Korea from September 6 to 14, 2024. This visit comes at the invitation of the key leaders of the Saemaul Foundation, a South Korean public-funded organization specializing in rural development.

The Saemaul Foundation is widely recognized for laying the groundwork for South Korea's transformation from a poor nation to a developed economy. During the 1970s, the South Korean government launched the "New Village" movement to improve rural areas. Due to its success, the South Korean model has been adopted in various Asian and African countries, with the support of the Korean Agency for International Development. The Saemaul Foundation currently implements pilot projects in six African countries, including Côte d'Ivoire, aimed at advancing agricultural techniques.

Minister Adjoumani's visit will include meetings with South Korean authorities, field visits, and the signing of a partnership agreement. This collaboration is expected to help Côte d'Ivoire draw valuable lessons from the South Korean experience in rural development and agriculture.

The goal is to inspire Côte d'Ivoire’s own rural transformation, aligning it with modern agricultural practices and boosting the country's economy.