The Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mr. Hassoumi Massoudou and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan to Niger Mr. Ikkatai Katsuya signed yesterday morning, two exchanges of notes within the framework of the economic development program and social (PDES). Amounting to 550 million yen and 600 million yen, or about 2 billion 750 million CFA francs and 3 billion CFA francs, these two donations from the Japanese government are intended to contribute to improving productivity agriculture and the fight against climate change in Niger.
This assistance, the total amount of which amounts to 1.15 billion yen, or 5.8 billion CFA francs, will improve not only agricultural productivity, but also drainage capacities during floods and floods which have been recurrent in recent years. years and restore cultivation capabilities after damage.
The first donation consisting of four (4) bulldozers, four (4) hydraulic excavators, four (4) dump trucks and four (4) tractors will be used to supply Japanese-made agricultural and civil engineering equipment to the most vulnerable regions of Niger. affected by the floods. The second, consisting of approximately 1,800 tonnes of NPK/Urea fertilizer, will be intended for the localities of Diffa, Konni and Madarounfa, as well as the urban community of Niamey.
According to the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr. Hassoumi Massoudou, these Japanese donations, beyond the size of the amount granted, are part of the effective implementation of the National Rice Development Strategy (SNDR) for the period 2021-2030, the launch of which took place in September 2022. Mr. Hassoumi Massoudou stressed that this material support comes after the holding from November 6 to 20, 2022, of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP27), a meeting at the end of which a landmark agreement to provide loss and damage financing to vulnerable countries hard hit by climate disasters was reached.
Previously, the Japanese Ambassador to Niger said that today’s support is not only limited to the supply of goods, but also has an aspect of supporting Niger’s trade balance and better foreign exchange situation. .
Regarding the provision of fertilizers, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, said that the greatest feature of this support is to achieve double results with a single funding. Indeed, the fertilizers provided will be sold at low prices so that the most modest farmers can benefit from them. The proceeds from this sale will make it possible to constitute a counterpart fund which will be valued to finance new economic development projects in various fields such as agriculture, education, etc. and this, after consultations between the two governments.
Rahila Tagou(onep)