JICA and Uttarakhand sign agreement to boost horticulture

Nainital: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Uttarakhand Department of Horticulture and Food Processing (DHFP) have inked a four-year Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) agreement to launch the Uttarakhand Integrated Horticulture Development Promotion Project. The project aims to boost horticulture production and improve market systems in Tehri Garhwal and Nainital districts. The project is expected to create a favorable horticulture model across the state.

According to the latest data, 39% of Uttarakhand’s population is involved in the agriculture sector, and most farmers own less than two hectares of land. However, horticulture is packed with great potential in the state. But farmers have to face several challenges, such as old farming methods, poor infrastructure, and climate change, which which have created a lot of issues for them.

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JICA has been supporting Uttarakhand farmers through its Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan project, strengthening agricultural production and supply chains. The new TCP is set to help in the expansion of the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach, a market-driven farming model developed by JICA.

Takuro Takeuchi, Chief Representative of JICA India, emphasized the importance of the initiative. “By providing smallholder farmers with market-focused tools and strategies, this project will not only boost horticulture in Uttarakhand but also serve as a model for other states,” he said.

The target of the project is to train district horticulture officers and other staff with the expertise of JICA professionals to ensure success in the horticulture sector. This association is likely to be a launching pad for modernizing horticulture along with increasing farmers’ income and boosting the state’s economy.