The Agricultural Culture Collection of China (ACCC) and the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC) recently signed a cooperation agreement, marking the launch of in-depth collaboration between the two sides in the development of agricultural microbial resources and exchange of researchers.

Seung-Beom Hong, Director of the Korea Agricultural Culture Collection, noted that the cooperation is of landmark significance. The Rural Development Administration of the Republic of Korea (RDA) has approved dedicated funding to support strategic collaboration between the two centers in the field of agricultural microbial resources. Going forward, ACCC and KACC will fully leverage their leading roles to jointly promote the establishment of a pan-Asian collaborative network for agricultural microbial resources. The partnership will focus on joint research in the evaluation and utilization of agricultural microbial resources, while strengthening exchanges and training of professional talent in the field.

Wei Hailei, Director of the Agricultural Culture Collection of China, emphasized that microbial resources constitute a critical foundation for the development of the bio-agriculture and bio-economy, and serve as an important lever for advancing green and high-quality agricultural development. Strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation is essential for pooling innovation resources, sharing technological achievements, and addressing common challenges. The dedicated support provided by the Rural Development Administration of the Republic of Korea represents strong recognition of ACCC’s work in the collection, preservation, and shared utilization of agricultural microbial resources. Within the framework of the strategic partnership, ACCC and KACC will actively promote information exchange among pan-Asian microbial resource institutions, deepen cooperation in functional evaluation, technological innovation, and industrial application of microbial resources, and carry out regular mutual visits and training programs for professional personnel.

According to the agreement, the two parties will adhere to the principles of "complementary advantages, mutual integration and promotion, and shared benefits". By fully aligning resources, technologies, and talent, ACCC and KACC aim to jointly enhance the protection and utilization of regional agricultural microbial resources and contribute to the sustainable development of global agriculture.