Beijing, China, the Training on Agricultural Mechanization for Korean Academy of Agricultural Science (KAAS) of DPRK drew to a successful closure of the three-week capacity building event.The Training was organized by the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) in collaboration with China Agricultural University (CAU) with financial support of ESCAP with the aim to enhance the awareness, knowledge and capacity of the participants of Korean Academy of Agricultural Sciences (KAAS).

Designed for the specific context and requirements of DPRK, the Training provided a wide spectrum of agricultural mechanization development issues covering strategy and policy formulation and implementation; specific technologies and equipment of grain harvesting, maize production, transplanting, storage and processing, animal husbandry, conservation agriculture, irrigation, precision agriculture, green house; and the development and sound practices of machinery testing and extension, research and innovation methods, education and training, and cooperatives. Tailored visits to the related agencies and demonstration sites were arranged to reinforce classroom teaching understanding, including a trip to Zhengzhou, Henan Province, to participate in a large agricultural machinery exhibition. 

At the Closure Seminar on 20th April 2015, the DPRK participants were awarded Training Completion Certificates by Mr. Zhao Bing, Head of CSAM. Dr. Han Lujia, Dean of the College of Engineering of CAU and Mr. Bong Seok So, Project Expert of the Macroeconomic Policy and Development Division of ESCAP, presented more than 50 books on agricultural mechanization to the DPRK delegation. In addition, Mr. Choe Chol Ho, Senior Official of the Department of External Science and Technical Exchange of Korean Academy of Agricultural Science updated on the situation of agricultural mechanization development in DPRK at the Closure Seminar.
 
In addition to achieving all the designed objectives, the Training also enhanced mutual understanding between the Korean Academy of Agricultural Science and CSAM, which laid down good foundation for future cooperation.

The Training has been financially supported by ESCAP under the project entitled “Promoting Regional and Economic Cooperation in North-East Asia with Particular Focus on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)”.