Japanese grant bonanza for underprivileged farmers

The Japanese government has agreed to provide a grant of Japanese Yen 360 million (Approximately Rs 468 million) under its food production grant aid program to purchase agricultural machineries and equipment from Japan for the use of underprivileged farmers. The grant is administrated by Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The purchase of agricultural machineries and equipment under this grant will be made available to the farmers through Agrarian Service Centres of the Agrarian Development Department, Agrarian Service Centres and Government Seed Farms through the Agriculture Department. This will facilitate improving the quality of agricultural products of the targeted farmers. Half of the value of agricultural machineries and equipment imported under this grant, will be deposited in a special account at the Central Bank which will be utilized for financing of projects to enhance economic and social development including the increase of food production.

The signing of exchange of notes took place at the Finance and Planning Ministry. Japanese Ambassador Kunio Takahashi signed on behalf of the Japanese Government while Finance and Planning Ministry Secretary P B Jayasundera signed on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.