THE Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agreed last month to implement a project aimed at training staff from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation on how to provide education and other help to farmers in Myanmar.

A record of discussion on Japanese technical cooperation for the Agricultural Extension Human Resource Development Project was signed late last month between JICA, Myanma Agriculture Service and the Department of Agricultural Planning under the ministry.

The project is aimed at improving methods used by extension specialists from the ministry in educating farmers and providing them with necessary help.

Japan will provide training materials and help produce qualified and efficient agricultural extension workers who are qualified to provide services to farmers.
To realise these goals, Japan will send to Myanmar two long-term experts – a chief advisor on agricultural extension and a coordinator of participatory development – as well as short-term experts on the production of training materials and on agricultural economy, according to a press release issued by JICA.

“The signing officially starts the project implementation process after two years of preparation,” Ms Michiko Umezaki, the Myanmar resident representative of JICA, said at the signing ceremony on July 27.