NAROWAL: A solar-powered irrigation project aimed at boosting agricultural productivity was inaugurated in Tehsil Shakar Garh, District Narowal, on Wednesday by His Excellency, Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan. The initiative, funded by the Government of Japan, seeks to enhance sustainable development and empower local communities in rural Pakistan.

According to a statement by Embassy of Japan in Pakistan, the project is part of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Program, which provided financial assistance of $65,617. The funds have been utilized to install seven solar-powered irrigation pumps in the region, which are expected to improve irrigation efficiency and increase agricultural yields.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by NGO board members, local government officials, community leaders, and farmers, reflecting the collaborative effort between the Government of Japan and Rural Aid Pakistan, a non-governmental organization dedicated to fighting poverty and empowering rural communities.

Rural Aid Pakistan has a longstanding history of over thirty years working with farmers in rural areas through various projects in partnership with government departments and donors. This project is anticipated to enhance the agricultural environment, increase local farmers’ income, and contribute positively to the local economy.

Mr. Akamatsu, during his remarks at the ceremony, expressed his congratulations on the successful completion of the project. He emphasized the project’s potential to empower farmers and strengthen economic ties between Japan and Pakistan. The Ambassador reiterated Japan’s ongoing commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development and improving living standards.