The Government of Japan has decided to extend financial assistance of 109,285 US Dollars; equivalent to approximately 10,664,030 Nepalese Rupees to LEFT-Nepal (Local Effort for Social Transformation-Nepal), a local NGO in Dhading. This financial assistance is extended under the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme of the Government of Japan in Japan's Fiscal Year 2013. LEFT-Nepal will implement the Project for Empowerment of Rural Communities through Micro Irrigation System in Dhading.

A Grant Contract relating to this project is scheduled to be signed and exchanged on 21 March at the Embassy of Japan in Nepal between Masashi OGAWA, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Bishunu Shrestha, Chairperson, LEFT-Nepal.

According to a pre release of Japanese Embassy, this grant assistance will be used to construct a Micro Irrigation System including three intakes, three reservoir tanks, 18,050 meters of pipe line, and 240 distribution taps to provide a stable water supply for agricultural and domestic use to people in Ward Number 8 of Khalte VDC and Ward Numbers 2 and 7 of Nilakantha VDC in Dhading District.  These areas, due to their geo-structure, are very dry and people have difficulty in accessing water.

This project will provide a stable supply of water for agricultural and domestic use to 164 households, which is 1,310 people, and it is expected that the total cultivated acreage of 42 hectares will be utilized more efficiently and increase agricultural productivity.

The Embassy of Japan expects that this project will improve people’s lives in Khalte and Nilakantha Villages and it will become an example to others in rural areas, encouraging them to seek improved irrigation systems, and thereby improving their lives and agriculture.