Japanese grant aid of Rs 259 m for increasing food production

The Government of Japan has agreed to extend a grant assistance of Rs 259 million to the Government of Nepal for the Increase of Food Production (KR2), with special emphasis on underprivileged farmers, in Japan’s Fiscal Year 2011.

Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, Kunio Takahashi and Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Krishna, Hari Baskota, signed and exchanged Notes Sunday on behalf of their respective governments, with the graceful presence of visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

“The grant is extended for procuring the items necessary to increase food production in Nepal with special emphasis on underprivileged farmers. The grant will be used for the procurement of fertilizers needed to boost agricultural production, thus enabling the country to meet its growing food demand,” said a statement issued by the Embassy of Japan to inform about the grant assistance.

“Good quality Fertilizer is an important component for the growth of agricultural production. However, Nepal does not have domestic manufacturers of chemical fertilizer and is forced to depend on imports.

The fertilizer procured under this grant will be utilized to cope with acute shortages and rising prices and will be supplied to farmers in remote regions where private market activities are inadequate.”

The Government of Japan has been extending Grant Assistance for the Increase of Food Production (KR2) to Nepal since 1977; one of the oldest grant programs from Japan to Nepal. The last such grant was extended in Japan’s Fiscal Year 2009.

Japan, being a close friend and development partner of Nepal, has been extending assistance to help Nepal in the country's endeavor for socio-economic development. nepalnews.com