Cooperation: Japan and Rwanda signed a 2.077 Billion Japanese Yen Grant Aid for the Project for Rehabilitation of Irrigation Facilities in Rwamagana District (March 31, 2017)
2017/4/3
Ambassador Miyashita and Hon. Claver GATETE, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning signed a 2.077 Billion Japanese Yen (about 18.8 Million USD) Grant Aid for the Project for Rehabilitation of Irrigation Facilities in Rwamagana District on 31st March, 2017. This Grant aims to improve agriculture productivity and to increase income of farmers in Rwamagana District through the repair of the existing irrigation facilities leading to the ceaseless and stable water provision in marsh land.
“The project includes the repair of four water reservoirs, rehabilitation of irrigation canals and related facilities, and recovery of the roads. This project promotes more intensive agriculture thanks to the fact that farmers are enabled to use agricultural water more efficiently. This project also establishes an organization for farmers to maintain and manage the facilities systematically, thorough which the facilities are expected to be used for a long time. In addition, it is expected that the amount of harvested crops will increase by 30 percent in 2023 compared to 2015,” Ambassador Miyashita said.
Minister Gatete expressed his gratitude to the Government of Japan for its support not only for agriculture but also for energy and infrastructure through the grant assistances and training programs. Noting that the signing ceremony took place today clearly shows the strong partnership between the Government of Japan and Rwanda, he mentioned that this irrigation project will largely support those who are currently struggling because of the droughts in the eastern province. Moreover, the project will also enable farmers to acquire the skills for maintaining and managing the irrigation facilities, which contributes to achieving the sustainable development as one of the effective measures against climate change.
Besides this new project, Japan provided assistance for another Irrigation Project in Ngoma District which was completed last November. And since 2011 an irrigation advisor from Japan is working with Rwandan friends in the MINAGRI.
(Conceptual Drawing of the Project, provided by JICA)
“The project includes the repair of four water reservoirs, rehabilitation of irrigation canals and related facilities, and recovery of the roads. This project promotes more intensive agriculture thanks to the fact that farmers are enabled to use agricultural water more efficiently. This project also establishes an organization for farmers to maintain and manage the facilities systematically, thorough which the facilities are expected to be used for a long time. In addition, it is expected that the amount of harvested crops will increase by 30 percent in 2023 compared to 2015,” Ambassador Miyashita said.
Minister Gatete expressed his gratitude to the Government of Japan for its support not only for agriculture but also for energy and infrastructure through the grant assistances and training programs. Noting that the signing ceremony took place today clearly shows the strong partnership between the Government of Japan and Rwanda, he mentioned that this irrigation project will largely support those who are currently struggling because of the droughts in the eastern province. Moreover, the project will also enable farmers to acquire the skills for maintaining and managing the irrigation facilities, which contributes to achieving the sustainable development as one of the effective measures against climate change.
Besides this new project, Japan provided assistance for another Irrigation Project in Ngoma District which was completed last November. And since 2011 an irrigation advisor from Japan is working with Rwandan friends in the MINAGRI.
(Conceptual Drawing of the Project, provided by JICA)