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Country Partnership Strategy in Agriculture and Forestry Sector with Bolivia
Author Cha, Wonkyu
Views 48483 Publication Date 2020.03.04
Original
Research Background
Bolivia's poverty rate is 36% in 2016, the second-highest in Latin America after Honduras (43%). The poverty rate in its rural areas is about 30% in 2014, about three times higher than in urban areas. Bolivia was selected as a key partner country for Korea's first (2012-2015) and second (2016-2020) Country Partnership Strategy (CPS). Also, agriculture and regional development were one of the key areas of cooperation during the period.
Given the current state of poverty in Bolivia and Korea's official development assistance towards the country, it is expected that Korea will continue to maintain its support to Bolivia in the field of development cooperation. Nevertheless, there is a lack of in-depth research on Bolivia’s agriculture sector and development cooperation strategy. This study aims to thoroughly analyze the problems of agriculture and rural development sector in Bolivia, identify strategic key areas of cooperation, and establish Korea's country partnership strategy in the agriculture and forestry sector with Bolivia.

Research Methodology
This study conducted a literature review on Bolivia’s Economic and Social Development Plan 2016-2020, country partnership strategies established by major donor countries and international organizations, and Korea’s country partnership strategy and past assistance in the field of agriculture and rural development. Also, along with the Bolivian government agency, the National Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Innovation (INIAF) attempted to analyze the value chains of the leading agricultural products, including potato and quinoa. Based on the analysis, this study set goals and country partnership strategy for development cooperation with Bolivia and presented detailed tasks for each major field.

Findings
The foremost priority of agriculture in Bolivia is to strengthen its response to climate change and to increase agricultural productivity. First, there is a need to improve farmers’ access to agricultural water by establishing small reservoirs and irrigation facilities at the village or regional level. Second, based on Korea's superior seed breeding technology, it is necessary to develop varieties suitable for local climate and soil and to produce them to enhance Bolivian farmers' access to seeds. Besides, it is necessary to support the increase in agricultural productivity through the transfer and dissemination of agricultural technologies, such as production technology, post-harvest management, fertilization, and soil management.
It is essential to support the capacity of the Bolivian government in establishing its agricultural policies. Policy consulting support is necessary on Bolivia's demand for agricultural disasters, farmland systems, agricultural finance, agri-food nutrition and safety, and cooperatives. Furthermore, for the smooth implementation of the agricultural policies created by the policy consulting project, the capacity of the central and local governments of Bolivia should be strengthened.
Finally, it is necessary to support the development of rural communities through farmer organizations. In Bolivia, farmer-led agricultural cooperatives have developed. Their organizational level is low and their role is limited. It is required to organize agricultural cooperatives focusing on the crops that farmers cultivate and to foster their awareness of the local community and further support to solve the problems that they face in the value chain. In addition, training for cooperatives, such as co-production and co-sales, needs to be supported. And the Bolivian government should support these efforts in establishing and operating policies on the cooperatives. At the same time, it is necessary to foster cooperatives in rural areas to cultivate local community awareness and to increase opportunities of minority and vulnerable groups for their social participation.


Researchers: Cha Wonkyu, Cho Sunmee
Research period: 2019. 1. ~ 2019. 12.
E-mail address: wkcha@krei.re.kr

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