The Japan has extended financial assistance of US Dollar 268,641, equivalent to approximately Nepalese Rupees 28,852,000, to AMDA Multisectoral and Integrated Development Services (AMDA-MINDS) under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects Scheme. AMDA-MINDS, a NGO based in Japan, will work with a Nepalese partner NGO, SAGUN, to implement the Project for Recovery of Earthquake-affected Communities in Kavrepalanchok District through Improvement of Agriculture and Marketing.

A Grant Contract relating to this project will be signed and exchanged on 16th February between Masashi OGAWA, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Maiko KOBAYASHI, Country Director, AMDA-MINDS Nepal Office, at the Embassy of Japan in Nepal.

“This grant assistance will be used to implement a project in three VDCs along the Sindhuli Highway of Kavrepalanchok District, and aims to ensure reconstruction and improvement of livelihoods through promotion of agriculture among the earthquake affected communities. This project is scheduled to last for three years,” said a press release issued by Embassy of Japan.

 The major elements of this project includes improvement of skills and knowledge for the production of cash crops, a series of trainings will be conducted to a total of 450 farmers from the 1,130 households in the target area. The trainings will consist of introducing new cash crops (fruits, vegetables) with a concept of market oriented products, and practical skills of harvesting utilizing advanced methodologies such as vinyl houses that control temperature and humidity as well as Bokashi (fermented) fertilizer to improve the soil condition. The project also extends practical skills of IPM (Integrated Pest Management), focusing on future organic farming.

Support for the construction of irrigation systems includes targeting some clusters which have been facing severe water scarcity, the project will provide financial and technical support for the construction of irrigation systems, such as reservoir tanks, which increase farm production.

Capacity development of local agricultural cooperatives and promotion of better marketing systems includes establish and reform “Agriculture Groups” at cluster level, as well as “Agricultural Cooperatives” that affiliate small agriculture groups with each other and encourages their registration with concerned government agencies so that independent and sustainable systems that link farmers and markets can be maintained.

“The Embassy of Japan in Nepal expects the success of this project will ensure the revival of livelihoods among earthquake affected communities as well as promote sustainable and independent development through agriculture, and will also enhance the cordial friendship between the peoples of Japan and Nepal,” said in a press release.