KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 13

Senior Representative from JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Nepal, Kenichiro Iizuka said that they are looking for new areas-eSports, high tech, and ageing issues-to work in Nepal.

"We are looking for new areas and planning to increase the number of our volunteers based on the needs of the site (agriculture, education, health, etc.) in conventional areas as before. We believe that Nepal is developing and its needs are changing," he said.

"So we would like to seek new areas, for example, e-sports, high technologies, tech, agri-tech, DX, climate change, and the carbon neutral, ageing issue, and would like to use the volunteer program to challenge gem new areas that other donors and other schemes are not working on. Therefore, if you have any needs or ideas, please feel free to contact us."

He also stated that this year marks the 70th anniversary of Japan's official development assistance, and Japan has been assisting Nepal's development since then.

"In addition, JICA has worked for over 54 years to achieve sustainable and economic development in sectors such as infrastructure, education, agriculture, and technology. Volunteers arrived in Nepal in August, and they have been gradually improving," he said.

In the meantime, Lok Man Maharjan, principal of Mangal Secondary School in Kirtipur, stated that Japanese volunteers have played an important role in improving students' learning outcomes.

"For 20 years, we have worked closely with JICA; previously, other volunteers played a critical role in standardising the classes from kindergarten to secondary level students," he stated.

"Our school is extremely fortunate, as one of our teachers received six months of training from JICA, and following the training, other teachers from various schools sought assistance from our teacher to train them in various areas. Sports, art, and crafts are integral components of our daily classes and learning. And we have been recognised as one of the best schools in the Kathmandu Valley."

During an observation of JICA's art and craft class, students from Mangal Secondary School in Kirtipur students participating in a painting competition told THT that they enjoy her lessons delivered by volunteer Haruka Katoh and that she teaches them in both Nepali and English.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Warm Temperate Horticulture Centre (WTHC) in Kirtipur, Padam Prasad Adhikari, stated that it was established in 1961 AD by King Mahendra, 'which is significant in our history.'

"JICA's technical support, financial support, and volunteers have made significant contributions to the development of this centre," he said.

"JICA has supported activities at WTHC, including the introduction of new germplasm (persimmon, pear, chestnut, grapes, pineapple, guava, and loquats), development of trifoliate stock, infrastructure development, manufacturing and maintenance of farm tools such as grafting knives, secateurs, fruit bags, and other tools, and crop-long training."l"

According to Adhikari, WTHC is now under the jurisdiction of the federal government as a result of Nepal's federalisation.

Tatsuya Hirosue, a JICA volunteer at WTCH, said he has been staying for four months in Nepal, and that he would be here for two years. He also specialises in grape production. "By next year, WTHC will have high-quality grapes," he said.

Nagisa Kawajiri, another JICA volunteer in Syangja, told THT that she has been working in orange production.

She has been living in Syangja and working with the municipality. "I have been assisting farmers in keeping oranges safe through the use of preservatives," she shared.