The Japan approves for Utilization of the Counterpart Fund

The Government of Japan has approved the utilization of the Counterpart Fund of two hundred, and ninety five million, three hundred fifty thousand Nepalese Rupees (NRs. 295,350,000) for the implementation of the at least nine ongoing projects in Nepal. The fund was approved following the request made by the Government of Nepal. 

According to a press statement issued on Friday by the Japan's Embassy in Nepal, government of Japan has approved the seven projects, based in the agriculture including fishery sector, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The projects include Special Agriculture Production Program, Agriculture Development Project, Janakpur, Sericulture Development Program, Small Scale and Co-operative Farming Based Small Irrigation Transportation Subsidy (Seeds and Fertilizer), Fisheries Development Program Natural Water Fisheries Development Project, Agriculture Research Project.

Similarly, in the forestry sector, the Government of Japan has approved one project to be implemented by the Department of Irrigation under the Ministry of Forestry and soil Conservation. It has also extended assistance in the field of watershed management around the Kaski/Parbat area through a participatory approach. The “Community Development and Forest/Watershed Conservation” project is expected to promote replication of the project activities.

Likewise, in the irrigation sector, the Government of Japan has approved one project to be implemented by the Department of Irrigation under the Ministry of Water  Resources. It has also provided technical assistance to establish a quality-testing laboratory in Pokhara for irrigation works under the “Construction Quality Testing Laboratories” projects. 

According to the statement, the assistance will support for the procurement of technical equipments, which is expected to contribute in the improvement of the quality irrigation systems.

The Counterpart Fund was established through the financial assistance extended by the Government of Japan to increase agriculture production under KR2, the Grant assistance for underprivileged farmers.