Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) together with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have given aid to farmers and their families of Khyber and Kurram agencies of FATA so that they can rebuild homes and continue their lives again after facing displacement for years.
This aid was granted to 7,200 families (33,143 in Khyber and 44,057 in Kurram agency) of FATA and helped them to earn and produce food for their living.
The lands were reclaimed and prepared for cultivation along with irrigation channel system so they can grow the seeds of the high quality of wheat, maize, oats, and different vegetables provided by FAO and JICA.
The aid was under the project recovery and development of the agricultural economy in FATA. The project has successfully accomplished the restoration of livings based on farming and agriculture, firming productive skills of returnees, and increasing the capacity of public and private service providers and concluded on 31 July.
The conclusion ceremony took place in FAO Representation Office in Islamabad. The Ambassador of Japan, HE Takashi Kurai, JICA Chief Pakistan Representative Yasuhiro Tojo, top officials from development agencies along with representatives of the government of Pakistan has attended the meeting.
“We had supported in the rehabilitation of community infrastructure of FATA. Recovery of living is more important for living a stable life after returning of TDPs that is added to the assistance project. Japan will help Pakistanis including FATA and TDPs to maintain peaceful environment in Pakistan”, said Takashi Kurai on the occasion
“The capacity building among women was the major part of our project. Training them to convey innovative farming and livestock was crucial for having a sustainable life in FATA and contributes to the economy greatly”, said Yasuhiro Tojo while expressing his views.
Ms. Minà Dowlatchahi, FAO Representative highlighted the project achievements and said that we are helping Pakistan Government in sending back displaced people and helping them in fulfilling their responsibilities. We truly admire the cooperation from JICA in this respect. JICA and FAO together have revitalized many deportees to stable agriculture based life in their homeland. We are optimistic that partnership will further help for better lives of deportees of FATA.
Abdul Latif Khan, Secretary Production, and Livelihood, FATA Secretariat said that JICA and Embassy of Japan have helped people of FATA in livelihoods and maintaining peace in the area by creating opportunities for a job. A few farmers had attended the conclusion ceremony at Islamabad and briefed to other participants about benefits of this project