Japan has approved the utilization of the Counterpart Fund of 286 million Nepali rupees (4.08 million U.S. dollars) for the implementation of nine projects, Radio Nepal reported Saturday.

The government of Japan has approved seven different projects in the agriculture (including fishery) sector, according to the radio report.

These projects will be implemented by various agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

The seven projects in the agriculture sector are the Special Agriculture Production Program (Buffer Fertilizer Storage and Management), the Agriculture Development Project Janakpur, the Sericulture Development Program, the Small Scale Irrigation and Co- operative Farming Based Small Irrigation Seeds and Fertilizers Transportation Subsidy Program, the Fisheries Development Program, the Natural Water Fisheries Development Project and the Agricultural Training and Extension improvement Project.

Similarly, in the forestry sector, Japan approved one project to be implemented by the Ministry of Forestry and Soil Conservation.

According to a press release issued by the Embassy of Japan here, Japan has extended assistance in the field of watershed management.

In the irrigation sector, Japan approved one project to be implemented by the Department of Irrigation under the Ministry of Water Resources.

Under the "Construction Quality Testing Laboratories" projects, four more laboratories will be established for testing purposes, which is expected to contribute in improving the quality of irrigation systems.

Source: Xinhua