Closing Ceremony of the "Zambia Marumori Rural Community Development Project Through Market Oriented Farming"

On 23^rd August 2024, Ambassador Takeuchi attended the closing ceremony of the Grassroots Technical Cooperation Project titled "Zambia Marumori Rural Community Development Project Through Market Oriented Farming " (Project Duration: February 2021 to October 2024). This project aimed to improve the livelihoods of Zambian smallholder farmers by transferring agricultural techniques from Marumori Town in Miyagi Prefecture to Zambia, enhancing crop diversification and productivity.
 
The relationship between Marumori Town and Zambia is longstanding, beginning in 2011 when five smallholder farmers from rural Zambia were welcomed to Marumori as trainees. Following this visit, from 2016 to 2019, the "Zambia Marumori rural community development project. improving livelihoods for small-scale farmers through marumori's traditional technology" was implemented, leading to the present project today.
 
During the closing ceremony, representatives of the beneficiary farmers from various districts presented the outcomes of the project, reporting improvements in the quality and yield of crops, as well as increased income. They also expressed their gratitude for the project's implementation. Additionally, a video message from Mr Hoshina Kunikazu, Mayor of Marumori Town, was shared, celebrating the successful conclusion of the project. In his message, he expressed his hope that the bonds of friendship between Zambia and Marumori Town would continue to flourish even after the completion of the project.
 
In his remarks, Ambassador Takeuchi shared an episode from his visit to Marumori Town this July, emphasising that through this project, not only have agricultural techniques been exchanged, but also cultural exchanges have progressed, fostering sustained development and friendship between the two countries. He further expressed his confidence that this project had undoubtedly been beneficial for both cooutries and would serve as a model case for international exchange activities. As this year marks the significant 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Zambia, he expressed his hopes for the continued cooperation and lasting friendship between the two nations.
 
To read the speech by Ambassador Takeuchi, please click here.