Japan to provide $5m for agriculture in Fata

ISLAMABAD: Japan has agreed to fund the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to implement a project worth $5 million for the recovery and development of the agricultural sector in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
Notes to this effect were signed here on Thursday between Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, and Patrick T. Evans, FAO Representative in Pakistan, witnessed by Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister of National Food Security and Research.
According to the announcement made by Japanese Embassy here on Thursday, Fata has been severely affected by the unrest and military operations over the last decade. Early this year, there were some 260,000 families displaced from their homes in Fata.
The Fata Secretariat prepared a “Sustainable Return and Rehabilitation Strategy” early this year and from March has been supporting the return of the displaced families. Currently, 218,000 families are awaiting the opportunity to return home, which is expected to be realised for all by the end of 2016.
The purpose of this project is to make a significant contribution to stabilisation of the area, reducing poverty and economic inequalities in two of the agencies (Khyber and Kurram) through:
1) Restoration/improvement of agriculture production (including crops, livestock, poultry and fisheries),
2) Restoration/rehabilitation of related productive assets (such as reclamation of land and rehabilitation of water resource), and
3) Strengthening the institutional capacity of government and private agriculture service providers and improving skills of the beneficiaries.
This project is designed to directly benefit approximately 26,000 returned families (195,000 individuals) in Khyber and Kurram agencies. This project is in line with the “Fata Sustainable Return and Rehabilitation Strategy”, launched by the Fata Secretariat.
Hiroshi Inomata pointed out that the stability of Fata is essential for the stability of entire Pakistan. He said that the project aims at enhancing people’s livelihood by restoring agriculture, which is the mainstay of the economy in Fata, and thereby contributing to the stability of the region. He added that he hopes this project will also promote sustainable return of displaced persons.
On this occasion, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, said that the Government of Pakistan and its relevant departments in Fata will be working closely with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the Japan International Cooperation Agency to reach out to the beneficiary communities for stable and food secure households in Fata.