Korea Seed & Variety Service announced on Dec. 11 that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Naktuinbouw, a Dutch breed and seed testing agency, to advance the operation of new plant products and to cooperate in seed quality certification technology.
The agreement is an extension of the pact signed on Nov. 4, 2014, and the main contents of this agreement include cooperation for the development of new plant species protection system and seed quality certification technology, exchange of experts to improve the production system of high-quality seeds and breeding materials, joint operation of breeding protection training courses for developing countries, and the opening of working-level training courses between the two agencies.
It is expected to contribute to the development of Korea's seed industry through seed management and screening education by sharing its expertise in seed field with the Netherlands' Naktuinbouw, known as the world-class seed protection and seed quality testing agency.
In addition, experts from both agencies will participate in a joint training session of seed quality technology at Korea Seed & Variety Service next year.
Through this agreement, the two agencies will discuss technical cooperation measures at the working level, including the cultivation and exchange of experts related to seed quality certification.
"By operating a working-level training program with the Netherlands from next year, we expect to build a new model of cooperation between the two countries and foster professional personnel," an official of Korea Seed & Variety Service said.