Meeting with Representatives of the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC)

On 1 December, SIC ICWC welcomed the delegation from the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC) led by Deputy Director Hee-Tae Chae.

The parties discussed prospects for strengthening and expanding bilateral cooperation. SIC ICWC was represented by Director D. Ziganshina, Deputy Director Sh. Muminov, and O. Usmanova and F. Abdullaeva.

Mr. Hee-Tae Chae presented a detailed overview of KRC’s ongoing and planned initiatives in the Republic of Uzbekistan. It was noted that project implementation is carried out across four key areas:

• Establishment of a horticulture technology training center equipped with modern production facilities in the Yukorichirchik district of Tashkent region (2021–2025, budget: US$5.5 million);
• Development of a digital agricultural platform for climate change adaption in the Parkent district of Tashkent region (2024–2027, budget: US$6 million);
• Capacity enhancement of seeds production techniques and multiplying system of potatoes at the Samarkand branch of Tashkent State Agrarian University (2023–2027, budget: US$6.5 million);
• Development of a Master Plan for sustainable agricultural water resources utilization and integrated management, including a pilot project in the Syr Darya region (2026–2030, estimated budget: US$8 million).

It was emphasized that the Ministry of Water Management of the Republic of Uzbekistan serves as a key partner for all of the above initiatives.

Particular attention was given to the development of the Master Plan for agricultural water management. In this context, the Korean side proposed expert collaboration to advance this project, as well as to explore additional initiatives on water and agriculture across Central Asia.