Islamabad; July 2, 2015: The Government of Japan has agreed to fund the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to implement a project worth about 5 million USD (approximately 507 million PKR) for the recovery and development of the agricultural sector in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Notes to this effect were signed here today between H. E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and Mr. Patrick T. Evans, FAO Representative in Pakistan, witnessed by H.E. Mr. Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister of National Food Security and Research. On the same occasion, a Grant Agreement on the details of implementation of the project was signed between Mr. Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Mr. Evans.

FATA has been severely affected by unrest and military operations over the last decade. Early this year there were some 260,000 families displaced from their homes in FATA. The FATA Secretariat prepared a “Sustainable Return and Rehabilitation Strategy” early this year and from March has been supporting the return of displaced families. Currently 218,000 families are awaiting the opportunity to return home which is expected to be realized for all by the end of 2016.

The purpose of this project is to make a significant contribution to stabilization of the area, reducing poverty and economic inequalities in two of the agencies (Khyber and Kurram) through 1) Restoration/improvement of agriculture production (including crops, livestock, poultry and fisheries), 2) Restoration/rehabilitation of related productive assets (such as reclamation of land and rehabilitation of water resource), and 3) Strengthening the institutional capacity of government and private agriculture service providers and improving skills of the beneficiaries. This project is designed to directly benefit approximately 26,000 returned families (195,000 individuals) in Khyber and Kurram agencies. This project is in line with the “FATA Sustainable Return and Rehabilitation Strategy”, launched by FATA Secretariat.

H.E Mr. Hiroshi Inomata pointed out that the stability of FATA is essential for the stability of the entire Pakistan. He said that the project aims to enhance people’s livelihoods by restoring agriculture, which is the mainstay of the economy in FATA, and thereby contribute to the stability of the region. He added that he hopes this project will also promote sustainable return of displaced persons.

Mr. Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki said that stabilization and development of Pakistan–Afghanistan border areas is one of the priorities of Japan/JICA’s cooperation for Pakistan and he sincerely hoped that this project will contribute to restoration and improvement of agriculture and livestock based livelihoods of returning families in Kurram and Khyber agencies. He also said that this project is expected to have synergy with JICA’s ongoing technical cooperation in agricultural extension service in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mr. Patrick T. Evans, said that the “agriculture and its sub-sectors are the primary means of livelihood for the majority of people in the FATA region. Rebuilding agriculture production is critical as people return to ensure food security and to rebuild local economies. Mr. Evans expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan and to JICA for the support being provided and stated that he looked forward to working with them and the FATA Secretariat to support the sustainable returns and development in FATA.

At this occasion, Mr. Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research said that the Government of Pakistan and its relevant departments in FATA will be working closely with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Japan International Cooperation Agency to reach out to the beneficiary communities for stable and food secure households in FATA.

For further information, please contact:
Mahira Afzal, Communications Office, FAO, Cell: 0346-8544197, Email: [email protected]
Sajid Abbasi, Embassy of Japan, Phone: 51 907-2500, Email: [email protected]
Zubair Muhammad, JICA Pakistan Office, Phone: 51 924-4500, Email: [email protected]