Japan hands over turmeric processing centre

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 20: The Government of Japan has handed over the newly built Turmeric Processing Centre to Pyuthan Municipality. The centre was built with the support of Japan Government. The handover ceremony was held on Tuesday in the presence of Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka.

The project was implemented by the Volunteer Nepal National Group (Vol Nepal) and supported by the government of Japan under the Human Security Grant Assistance Project (GGP) for USD 81,180 (approximately Rs. 10 million), according to a press statement issued by the Embassy of Japan, Kathmandu.

The project aims to improve the livelihood of local farmers by increasing the production efficiency and commercialisation of turmeric in ward 8 of Pyuthan Municipality and neighbouring areas, read the press statement.

In this area, the soil is suitable for turmeric cultivation, but the farmers cultivate turmeric using traditional methods and the products are mostly for their consumption. In addition, the farmers did not have machinery to process the products, and the low price of unprocessed products made it difficult for them to escape poverty.

Vol Nepal, since its establishment in 2005, has been working for the sustainable development of rural communities and requested support from the government of Japan to improve the situation of the rural communities.

Upon the request, 10 mini-tillers were installed and a turmeric processing facility with necessary equipment was constructed through this GGP. At the ceremony, Ambassador Kikuta congratulated and expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all those involved in the project. 

He emphasised that the project would greatly contribute to improving the livelihoods of the farmers.

The high-quality products will help increase the income of the farmers and lead to the sustainable development of the local community. 

The Embassy hoped that the project would contribute to further deepening the friendly relations between the people of Japan and Nepal.

The GGP was established to implement projects that directly benefit people at the grassroots level for the socio-economic development of communities. 

Since 1991, over 200 GGP projects have been completed in Nepal.