The Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA handed over farm machinery worth Nu 300 M to the Agriculture Ministry today. It’s a gift from the Japanese Government.
The farm machinery includes 200 power tillers, 150 mini-tillers, 30 tractors and 20 mini-combine harvesters along with their repair tools and spare parts.
“On behalf of the ministry of agriculture and behalf of the Royal Government of Bhutan, I would like to thank the people and government of Japan and in particular JICA for always being with us, in our march towards acquiring food and nutrition security of Bhutan,” said Agriculture Minister, Yeshi Penjor.
The farm machinery is expected to greatly contribute to the country’s efforts in farm mechanisation and encourage youth participation.
“The FMCL is initiating this program to encourage youth that there is an enterprise and business associated with hiring and repairing services. Eventually, when the private sector takes up this hiring and repairing service of the machines, FMCL will withdraw from such service and venture into other important activities which private may not be able to take it up,” said Program Director of AMC, Kinga Norbu.
The machines will be distributed to the FMCL regional offices and gewogs to make them available to the farmers for hiring services.
Cooperation in the agriculture sector remains the hallmark of Bhutan-Japan relations since 1964 and Japan’s economic assistance to Bhutan began during the 4th Five Year Plan.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Sonam Pem
