Agartala, Feb 08, 2024, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Agartala, Feb 08: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) India Mission, comprising Mr Hidenobu Fujiwara, Representative, JICA India and Nesththa Vengurlekar, Development Specialist, visited Tripura from February 06 to 08, 2024, to review the progress of the Tripura JICA Project (SCATFORM). 
The mission team attended a review meeting at Prakriti Bhawan, where they assessed the physical and financial progress of the project presented by Shri Pravin L Agrawal, IFS, CEO & PD, Tripura JICA Project. They also reviewed the progress of NTFP Centre of Excellence (NCE).
Aside from the review meeting, the JICA Mission Team also met with the Principal Secretary, Forests and PCCF and HoFF, to discuss the progress of the project. 
On day two, the team first visited Sepahijala District to see the activities implemented under SCATFORM Project. They also interacted with the members of Sindrai Bodol Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) who are engaged in selling of Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFPs) and Income Generation Activities.
The JICA team visited Agroforestry plantations and check dams constructed under the SCATFORM Project at Khumpui JFMC, as well as the piggery Income Generation Activity under Khuluma SHG, and interacted with beneficiaries. They also witnessed a demonstration on scientific fish farming in check dams constructed under Sindrai Bodol JFMC and distributed fish feed to the SHGs involved in fishery activity.
The JICA Team in the afternoon visited Mandwi Sub-division under West Tripura to see the progress of field implementation. They arrived at Dumtipara JFMC under Mandwi Range, West Tripura District and inaugurated the newly constructed MUC.
The JICA Mission also handed over loans to also Pohor SHG of Twikalai kami JFMC, Bedek SHG of Manikung kami JFMC under Manikung Beat and Aichukni pohor SHG of Brigudas Bari JFMC under Raktiacherra Beat.
Later in the afternoon, the JICA Mission visited the ongoing Industries and Commerce Fair at Hapania International Fair Ground and visited the JICA and NCE stall and some other stalls at the fair.
The JICA Mission Team expressed satisfaction with the progress of the implementation of project components and hinted to the Project Management Unit (PMU) officials that SCATFORM Project will be a successful venture like TFIPAP Project (Phase-I). The team believes that the possibilities of continuation of the Project as Phase-III will be very positive in the near future.
Overall, the JICA Mission Team was impressed by the field implementation of project activities as well as the SCATFORM Project activities at Sepahijala and West Tripura District.
The JICA Mission Team departed from Tripura State on the evening of February 8, 2024.