After over a decade of service in Eastern Bhutan, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has closed its projects at Wengkhar in Monggar. In the last 10 years, JICA had supported technical cooperation project and initiatives in developing agriculture and horticulture in the east.
More than 40 different fruits and vegetables were introduced and established over 700 fruit orchards in the east under the JICA projects. Most farmers in the east are now trained with basic technical knowledge in agriculture and horticulture farming. These were some of the achievements under the two projects of Agriculture Research and Extension Project and Horticulture Research and Development Project.
At the closing ceremony yesterday, the Chief Representative of JICA Bhutan, Yumiko Asakuma said they were one of the most successful projects.
“JICA remains ever committed to support Bhutan for development costs. Our President of JICA visited last year and mentioned, Bhutan is one of the most successful module of the Japanese Cooperation in the whole world,” said Yumiko Asakuma.
The Program Director of RNR Wengkhar, Lhap Dorji, said the technical cooperation projects are time-bound.
“I think from JICA’s part, investments have been there for about 14-15 years. It is not very easy to justify again for the continuation of similar program in the east. Therefore, ministry and we in Wengkhar proposed for the new project to begin in the west central region.”
JICA’s similar project will now begin at Bajo in Wangdue Phodrang. He added Wengkhar will continue doing similar work with support from the government and other sources. But the centre will have greater responsibilities.
For the significant contributions under these projects, some of the officials from both JICA and Bhutan were awarded National Order of Merit Gold by His Majesty the King.
JICA project began since early 2000 in the east.
