Korea has agreed with the Netherlands to cooperate in agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Thursday.

Agriculture Minister Lee Dong-phil signed a memorandum of understanding with his Dutch counterpart Sharon Dijksma to enhance exchanges and cooperation in agricultural policies, the ministry said.

When it comes to agriculture policy, the Netherlands, the second largest exporter of agricultural and food products in the world after the U.S., has been a benchmark nation for Korea in that the country has advanced competitiveness in the agriculture sector, overcoming disadvantageous conditions for agro-businesses due in part to small land size.

The ministry said the two governments will develop co-projects not only in policy but also in research and development activities. Combining the nation’s advanced information and technology with the agricultural sector is one of top policy priorities of the ministry.

(jyseo@heraldcorp.com)