Agartala, Apr 06, 2023, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Agartala, Apr 06: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) India Mission, comprising Shubham Srivastava, Development Specialist, and Anurag Sinha, Chief Development Specialist, visited Tripura from April 03 to 06, to review the progress of the Tripura JICA (SCATFORM) Project for the 2nd time.

The mission team attended a review meeting at Prakriti Bhawan, where they assessed the physical and financial progress of the project presented by Dr. Avinash M. Kanfade, 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 Secretary Finance, PWD and Planning, GoT, to discuss the progress of the project. 

On day two, the team visited Belbari Beat under West Tripura District to see the activities implemented under SCATFORM Project. They also interacted with the members of Emmanuel Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) who are engaged in selling of Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFPs).

The JICA team visited Agroforestry plantations and check dams constructed under the SCATFORM Project at Gangia Twisa JFMC, as well as the Multi-Utility Centre (MUC) under Purba Belbari JFMC, and interacted with beneficiaries. They also witnessed a demonstration on scientific fish farming in check dams constructed under Gangia Twisa JFMC, and distributed fish feed to the SHGs involved in fishery activity.

On day three, the JICA Team visited Gomati and South Tripura District to see the progress of field implementation. They arrived at Manthar JFMC under Killa Range, Gomati District and inaugurated the newly constructed MUC. The members of Jui SHG demonstrated candle making and members of Khumpui SHG showed dry fish processing before the JICA India Mission. Fingerlings were also released in a Model-II check dam constructed under Jui SHG. 

Later in the afternoon, the JICA Mission visited the Kakulia Range under South Tripura district and inaugurated the Muhuripur Central Nursery Office Room constructed under Kakulia Range.

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 Phase-I activities as well as the SCATFORM Project activities at Gomati and South Tripura District. The JICA Mission Team left the state on Thursday evening.