ISLAMABAD: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the support of Punjab government and Asian Chapter of Community World Service (CWS) distributed 2,800 bags of wheat seed and fertiliser amongst 350 locust-hit small farmers in Muzaffargarh district.

“The government of Japan is fully committed to supporting Pakistan for rehabilitation of the agriculture activities, particularly in the locust-affected areas of the country,” said the officials.

The distribution of seed and fertiliser amongst the farmers was part of the pilot project: “Livelihood for Small Farmers affected by Locust in Punjab” during mid of October 2020, by JICA.

With the initial financial assistance of Rs35 million (22.71 million Japanese Yen) provided by JICA, the provincial government and the Communality World Service will facilitate around 1,000 small farmers including tenants and growers who own agricultural land measuring 2-4 acres in different districts of South Punjab belt including Muzaffargarh, Layyah and Bhakar.

According to the officials, JICA distributed 2,800 bags of wheat seed and fertiliser amongst 350 small farmers of Muzaffargarh district affected by locust emergency.

The ceremony was attended by Community World Service (CWS) Programme Manager Wajahat Ahmed, JICA team lead for Muzaffargarh district Aisha Zeeshan, CWS programme staff and officials of Punjab agriculture department, according to a press release.

The team lead Aisha Zeeshan was of the view that the project “Livelihood for Small Farmers affected by Locust in Punjab” financed by JICA was aimed at rehabilitating the agricultural activities in the locust-affected areas of Punjab.

She said Japan was committed to strengthening small farmers financially to improve their livelihood and ensure food security. She said that 1,000 small farmers including 350 from district Layyah, 300 from Bhakar and 350 from district Muzaffargarh will be facilitated under the pilot project and added that around 206 small farmers from Tehsil Kot Addu and 144 growers from Muzaffargarh Tehsil are being provided two bags of wheat seed, four bags of Urea fertiliser and two bags of DAP fertiliser.

The worst locust attack in decades had ravaged standing crops in many areas of South Punjab, causing financial losses worth billions to the farmers.

A survey of South Punjab region revealed that the locust attacked Multan, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Bhakar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Lodhran, Rajanpur and Vehari areas where it seriously damaged crops like cotton, wheat, maize, vegetables, sunflower, green pastures and mango orchards.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2020