The Mizoram government and Japanese International Cooperative Agency (JICA) signed an agreement on ‘Capacity Enhancement for Sustainable Agriculture and Irrigation Development.’

• The memorandum of understanding was signed by top officials of Agriculture, Minor Irrigation, Horticulture and Soil and Water Conservation departments in the presence of state chief secretary Lalmalsawma.JICA was represented by its team leader Satoru Fujita and four other officials both from Tokyo and Delhi.
• Experts of the Japanese company would, on the company’s own expense, undertake technical cooperation project in four rural development blocks in Aizawl, Kolasib, Serchhip and Champhai districts.
• The JICA had conducted development study during 2013 and 2015 and had formulated a master plan covering 20 years and the technical cooperation project would commence from October this year and continue till September 2021.
• Training programmes would be conducted in Japan both for officials and farmers from Mizoram for three times during the period and the expenses would be borne by the Japanese government.

JICA

• The Japan International Cooperation Agency is a governmental agency that coordinates official development assistance (ODA) for the government of Japan.
• It is chartered with assisting economic and social growth in developing countries, and the promotion of international cooperation.
• In October, 2003, Sadako Ogata , the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, became the President, though she was over 70 years.
• Since 1 April 2012 it has been led by Professor Akihiko Tanaka, the University of Tokyo Vice President.