농림업 분야 중점 협력국별 국제개발협력 전략 수립(2차년도): 볼리비아

Abstract

우리나라 경제 규모의 발전과 국제적 위상이 높아짐에 따라 공적개발원조(ODA)의 공여국으로서의 책임이 더욱 커지고 있다. 이에 발맞추어 우리나라 국제개발협력 예산도 매우 빠른 속도로 증가하고 있다. 그러나 최근 ODA 지원금액의 가파른 양적 확대에도 불구하고 개발협력사업의 질적 성장은 여전히 미흡하다는 지적이 많다. 따라서 수혜국의 수요와 공여국의 비교우위를 잘 접목하여 현실적이고 지속가능한 국제개발협력사업의 추진이 필요한 상황이다.

이러한 배경에서 중장기 과제로 우리나라의 국제농업개발협력 전략을 수립하는 데 도움을 주고자 이 연구를 진행하였다. 이 연구는 5개년에 걸쳐 수행되는 농림업 분야 중점협력국 국제개발협력 전략 수립의 2차년도 과제로 수행되었다. 1차년도에 140개가 넘는 전 세계 개발도상국 가운데 농림업 분야 개발협력이 시급한 16개국을 선정하였고, 선정된 국가를 중심으로 국별 개발협력 전략 수립연구가 진행되고 있다. 이 연구는 16개 중점협력국 중 볼리비아를 대상으로 한 우리나라의 개발협력 전략 수립에 대한 연구이다.

이 연구를 통해 볼리비아의 농업·농촌 발전을 위한 개발협력사업의 전략을 수립함에 있어 대상국의 수원수요, 국제사회의 지원 전략, 우리나라의 경험 등 다각적인 측면에서 개발협력 수요와 공급의 접점을 찾고자 노력하였다.

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