Japan supports improvements in water access and agriculture income

Japan has provided grant assistance of $701,273 (about Rs 83.21 million) for a project on improving water access and agricultural income in Sindhupalchowk district.

The project will be implemented by Peace Winds Japan to stabilise the income and livelihoods of the locals by improving access to water they need and introducing vegetable cultivation, according to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.

"The grant contract for the project was signed by ambassador of Japan Kikuta Yutaka and acting country representative of Peace Winds Japan Yamaguchi Nana," the press note reads, adding that the project plans to build safe drinking water systems and encourage village committees for managing and maintaining the facilities.

The water supply system is expected to assist health and sanitation improvements of the area and also assist to increase agricultural production there. Promotion and support for efficient marketing of local agricultural products with the support by the project are expected to stabilise incomes of local residents.

Peace Winds Japan, Japan-based international NGO works with the Institution for Suitable Actions for Prosperity (ISAP), their Nepali partner NGO, to carry out the project in Sunkoshi and Melamchi Municipalities and Balefi Rural Municipality.

On the occasion, ambassador Kikuta said that Japan has been assisting community-based projects like this, in which we can find the improvements in people’s daily lives, by collaborating with the non government organisations to make changes especially in remote districts. "Although similar projects are facing difficulties to proceed due to Covid-19," he said, adding that Japan and Nepal can overcome the pandemic, saving peoples’ lives together by focusing on the better public health. "I sincerely hope that this project will improve the lives of people of the communities, which will lead to the prosperity of post-Covid Nepal society."

The Embassy of Japan in Nepal believes that the project will contribute towards poverty reduction by improving water access and agriculture incomes in Sindhupalchowk district, thus strengthening the cordial friendship between the peoples of Japan and Nepal.