JICA extends 60.2 mln USD loan to Philippines

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-12-4 16:15:40

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said on Wednesday that it provided a loan of 6.18 billion yen ($60.2 million) to expand irrigated rice farms in the Philippines.

JICA said in a statement that the funds will be used for the National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project being administered by the National Irrigation Administration.

The project is designed to increase rice productivity and establish sustainable operation and maintenance system by upgrading and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities, strengthening of irrigators' associations, and provision of agricultural support.

Under the project, the Philippine government aims to restore about 11,501 hectares and rehabilitate 24,169 hectares of agricultural lands.

Around 11 national irrigation systems in 10 provinces will be covered by the project including the Malatgao river irrigation system in the western Philippine province of Palawan, which was recently damaged by typhoon "Haiyan," locally named "Yolanda."



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