Japan pledges $13.5m to help develop Afghan irrigation

KABUL more than $13.5 million in aid to help develop irrigation system and increase rice production in some provinces under a contract signed on Saturday.

The contract was signed between Afghan Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Minister Asadulalh Zameer, chargé d'affaires at the Japanese Embassy in Kabul Yasunari Morino, the Japan International Cooperation Agency senior representative in Afghanistan, Eiichiro Cho and special representative of Food and Agriculture Organsiation (FAO) Tomio Shichiri in Kabul.

After signing the contract, Zameer said irrigation systems in Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan provinces would be improved for increasing paddy production.

As part of the project, infection-free improved potatoes seeds would also be provided to potato growers in Bamyan and Badakhshan provinces and the capacity of the agriculture departments of the two provinces would be enhanced, the minister said.

Yasunari Morino said the project would play a crucial role in agriculture development of Afghanistan as agriculture was key element in rehabilitation and development of the war-torn country.

Shichiri said after wheat crop, rice and potatoes were important crops of Afghanistan.

Since 2001, Japan has so far assisted Afghanistan with more than $5.7 billion.

myn/ma