DUSHANBE, March 15, 2012, Asia-Plus — The Signing Ceremony of Exchange of Notes concerning the Food Security Project for Underprivileged Farmers between Japanese Government, represented by Mr. Hiroyuki Imahashi, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan in Dushanbe, and Government of Tajikistan, represented by Mr. Hamrokhon Zarifi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, was held in Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan on March 15, press release issued by JICA Country Office in Tajikistan said.
At the same time, Grant Agreement for commencement of the Food Security Project for Underprivileged Farmers was signed between Government of Tajikistan, represented by Mr. Hamrokhon Zarifi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), represented by Mr. Jiro Ilda, Resident Representative of JICA Tajikistan Office.
Within the framework of the Grant Aid Project the Government of Japan allocates JPY 190 million (approximately US$2.3 million) for procurement of tractors, combines and other agricultural equipment. An Authorized State Enterprise of the Government of Tajikistan will be responsible for delivery of agricultural machinery to underprivileged farmers through sale, lease or rent. The proceeds from the sale will be used to continue extending assistance for underprivileged farmers through the purchase of required new agricultural machinery. Thus, the project will result in providing better opportunity for farmers to increase crop production.
It must be mentioned that the Government of Japan provided JPY 190 million to the Government of Tajikistan in 2010 for the first time under the program of Food Security Project for Underprivileged Farmers.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) started providing technical assistance to Tajikistan in 1991, and Representative Office of JICA in Tajikistan was established in 2006. The aggregate amount of grant aid provided by Japan is approximately 140 million U.S. dollars, and the aggregate amount of technical assistance provided by JICA is approximately 41 million U.S. dollars. JICA implements the following programs in Tajikistan: Program for Maternal and Child Health, Program for Water supply, Program for Disaster Prevention, Program for Poverty Reduction through Rural Development and Industry Promotion, Program for Road Improvement and Maintenance, Program for Capacity Building. Within the framework of Program for Capacity Building opportunity to make master degree in Japan is provided for 5 Tajik officials per year, and JICA also sends almost 100 Tajik officials per year for Training courses to Japan.
