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Sifelani Tsiko Senior Writer
ZIMBABWE will next week host the third General Assembly of the Korea-Africa Food and Agriculture Co-operation Initiative to explore ways to enhance mechanisms to boost food security and fight poverty among member states.The Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (Sirdic) and the Rural Development Administration of Korea will jointly host the event from May 11 to 13 which is expected to attract delegates from 18 member states.

Sirdic spokesperson Mrs Tarisayi Zvoma said in an interview that the KAFACI General Assembly will aim to approve work plans for the next cycle of projects on food security and poverty alleviation as well reviewing on-going projects.

“The General Assembly will discuss the organisation’s policies, allocation of resources and implementation of programmes and activities of KAFACI,” she said.

“Zimbabwe as the host is expected to assume the chairmanship. Professor Robson Mafoti, the Sirdic chief executive and deputy chairman of KAFACI, will assume the chairmanship at the 3rd General Assembly.”

KAFACI is an intergovernmental and multilateral cooperation body that aims to improve food production, achieve sustainable agriculture and enhance extension services in member countries by sharing knowledge and information on agricultural technologies.

The South Korean government administers KAFACI through its Rural Development Administration.

The multilateral agency broadly aims to enhance the transfer of agricultural technologies and experiences to African countries.

KAFACI members include South Korea, Angola, Cameroon, Comoros, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

KAFACI programme activities include promoting efficient utilisation of agricultural products, sustainable agriculture and conservation of the environment while improving the livelihoods of the people through socio-economic transformation.