DUSHANBE, November 25, 2013 Asia-Plus – The Government of Japan is providing support for enhancement of agrarian and education sector in the northern province of Sughd.

According to Japan’s Embassy in Dushanbe, Ambassador of Japan to Tajikistan, Hiroyuki Imahashi, visited the Isfara district on November 21 and congratulated Mr. Rahmonali Amirov, chairman of the Isfara district, on the notable completion of the “Project for Construction of a New School Building for School No.65 in Kholeson Village, Chorkuh Jamoat, Isfara District.”

The project was reportedly implemented under the framework of Japan’s Grant Assistance for the Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) with the amount of US$ 113,539.

Prior to the project implementation, School No.65 did not have a proper school building, and the poor condition of the existing building was affecting the learning environment of the students.  The new school building has 6 classrooms and one teachers’ room. With this new building, now the additional students from 9th through 11th grades can also study at School No. 65.  Alongside Japan’s support, the local authority of the Isfara district has provided the school with new furniture for further betterment of the school environment

On November 22, Ambassador Imahashi attended the ceremony to commemorate successful implementation of “The Project for Improvement of Irrigation Canals in Zafarobod District.”

Mr. Rustam Rahmatov, chairman of the Zafarobod district, expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support and offered his congratulations to the members of the local water user association and the farmers.

In Zafarobod, farming has long been a main source of income for the large number of local population. However, a considerable number of irrigation canals in the Zafarobod district were suffering from multiple problems caused by accumulated mud, salt-damaged lands, and aging of the canals themselves.  Due to these issues, productivity of the lands had been experiencing a serious decline for many years.

With the aim to revive the canals and the farm lands, an excavator and other machinery, in the total amount of US$122,049, have been installed under Japan’s GGP program.  These machinery are already in operation to clear the mud in the canals, which in turn increases water flow, and consequently, reduces salt density and contributes to boost the crop yield of the district.

Japan’s GGP program has implemented a series of projects throughout Tajikistan with the aim to ensure long-term economic growth of the country and to provide equal educational opportunities for children.  The Government of Japan is committed to continuing its support to fulfill the needs of the people in Tajikistan.

Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) is provided to local governments, educational/ medical institutions and international NGOs in developing countries.  GGP supports projects in the human security sectors at the grassroots level.  To-date, GGP has supported 302 projects in Tajikistan, for which more than US$ 23.3 million has been provided since 1996.