Categories: Stories

Zimbabwe gets $15 million irrigation grant from Japan

Japan has extended a $15 million grant to Zimbabwe, the first since 2000, to develop irrigation systems and improve food security in the eastern part of the country as the nations seek to revive bilateral relationships.

Tokyo suspended its government to government grant  assistance to Harare in 2000 but Japan’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Yoshi Hiraishi told a press conference that the grant marked an improvement in relations between the two countries.

The grant aims to rehabilitate irrigation facilities in Nyakomba district in Manicaland province which were damaged by flooding caused by Cyclone Eline in 2006 and put an additional 146 hectares under irrigation.

“This is indeed a momentous occasion, not only for the people of Nyakomba, but also for the bilateral relations as a whole between our two countries.   It can be marked as a realisation of the resumption of substantive bilateral economic corporation between Japan and Zimbabwe,” he said.

“Recent weather patterns have clearly demonstrated the unreliability of rain-fed agriculture and the urgent need for irrigation development.”

Implementation is scheduled to commence in December with completion expected by March 2018. A total of 861 small holder farmers are expected to benefit.

Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa who was present at the press conference said Zimbabwe was committed to full re-engagement with Japan.- The Source

(50 VIEWS)

This post was last modified on %s = human-readable time difference 12:49 pm

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

Will Mnangagwa go against the trend in the region?

Plans by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to push President Emmerson Mnangagwa to…

October 22, 2024

The Zimbabwe government and not saboteurs sabotaging ZiG

The Zimbabwe government’s insatiable demand for money to satisfy its own needs, which has exceeded…

October 20, 2024

The Zimbabwe Gold will regain its value if the government does this…

Economist Eddie Cross says the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) will regain its value if the government…

October 16, 2024

Is Harare the least democratic province in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, which is a metropolitan province, is the least democratic province in the…

October 11, 2024

Zimbabweans against extension of presidential term in office

Nearly 80% of Zimbabweans are against the extension of the president’s term in office, according…

October 11, 2024

Zimbabwe government biggest loser when there is a discrepancy in the exchange rate

The government is the biggest loser when there is a discrepancy between the official exchange…

October 10, 2024