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| Saturday, 04 September 2004 |
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Japanese help brings bountiful harvest to Puttalam A project assisted by the Japanese Government for sustainable human development and poverty alleviation in the Puttalam district has achieved ample output, the Japanese Embassy said in a release yesterday. Japan provided US$ 62,200 (approximately Rs. 5.9 million) in October last year to improve the livelihood of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Puttlam district. Under the project, IDPs in 14 villages in the Puttalam district were supported with agricultural machinery, fishery equipment, fertiliser and resources to organise agricultural and fishery training programs to enable villagers to identify and harness their potential in generating self-employment. The project was designed in a way that the beneficiaries market their products and the profit they earn are deposited as a revolving fund. The revolving fund is to be continuously maintained and to be utilised for the maintenance/purchase of the machinery and equipment. During the course of this project, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has provided technical assistance in agriculture and fishery. The project was implemented by the Community Trust Fund (CTF), a civil NGO committed to promote community development activities, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities. According to CTF, the catch of fish was very high due to the equipment provided by the Japanese Government. The fisher folks had reaped a good harvest including commercially profitable fish varieties under this project and their income level was considerably improved. The vegetable cultivation was also satisfactory in bringing about means to sustain their livelihood. The newly cultivated lands by the IDPs had given fruitful crops during this season. In overall, the IDPs' income level was increased by 35 percent compared to the previous years. |
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