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Japan commits US$5.1 million Zim climate-resilient agricultural support
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Through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the Japanese government has last week committed a US$ 5.1 million in its quest to support 37,000 smallholder farmers across five districts within Zimbabwe's three provinces (Masvingo, Mashonaland Central and Manicaland).
The pledge comes in the wake of climate-related abnormalities caused by the El Nino induced drought.
Speaking during the signing ceremonies, Shinichi Yamanaka who is the Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe, announced that the three-year program will enhance food security and resilience for smallholder farmers through establishment of water-based infrastructure, development of value chains and capacity-building amongst agricultural extension services.
"Under this project, small-scale farmers will be supported in growing sesame seeds to practice market-oriented agriculture and a Japanese trading company called ITOCHU Corporation is expected to play an important role in completing the value-chain of the project," Shinichi Yamanaka said.
"The Japanese government will provide financial assistance of approximately US$ 72,000 to the project for the construction of storages for sesame farmers in Mwenezi District while implemented by Sustainable Agriculture Technology (SAT)," Shinichi Yamanaka added.
"SAT is expected to support sesame production and its procurement including value addition for the local and export market," Yamanaka added.
Meanwhile, the Country representative and director for WFP in Zimbabwe, Barbara Clemens also added that the grant will enable improvement, availability, accessibility, and reliability of food for families in Zimbabwe.
"This invaluable contribution from the Government of Japan allows us to make food more available, easier to access, and more reliable for Zimbabwean families," Clemens announced.
"By supporting farmers to grow food in a sustainable way and connect them to markets, we can address immediate food needs and empower communities to build a food-secure future," Clemens added.
The Japanese support is specifically meant for Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Rushinga, Mt Darwin and Chipinge.
The pledge comes in the wake of climate-related abnormalities caused by the El Nino induced drought.
Speaking during the signing ceremonies, Shinichi Yamanaka who is the Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe, announced that the three-year program will enhance food security and resilience for smallholder farmers through establishment of water-based infrastructure, development of value chains and capacity-building amongst agricultural extension services.
"Under this project, small-scale farmers will be supported in growing sesame seeds to practice market-oriented agriculture and a Japanese trading company called ITOCHU Corporation is expected to play an important role in completing the value-chain of the project," Shinichi Yamanaka said.
"The Japanese government will provide financial assistance of approximately US$ 72,000 to the project for the construction of storages for sesame farmers in Mwenezi District while implemented by Sustainable Agriculture Technology (SAT)," Shinichi Yamanaka added.
Meanwhile, the Country representative and director for WFP in Zimbabwe, Barbara Clemens also added that the grant will enable improvement, availability, accessibility, and reliability of food for families in Zimbabwe.
"This invaluable contribution from the Government of Japan allows us to make food more available, easier to access, and more reliable for Zimbabwean families," Clemens announced.
"By supporting farmers to grow food in a sustainable way and connect them to markets, we can address immediate food needs and empower communities to build a food-secure future," Clemens added.
The Japanese support is specifically meant for Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Rushinga, Mt Darwin and Chipinge.
Source - Byo24News
