RAMALLAH, February 9, 2011 (WAFA) - Naofumi Hashimoto, representative of Japan to the Palestinian National Authority, and Harumi Kawajawi, representative of the Japanese NGO Campaign for the Children of Palestine (CCP) signed an agreement Tuesday for a US$2.1 million project to enable the agricultural sector in Gaza.

The project will span three years and comprise several workshops by Japanese NGOs to train farmers and agronomists on multiple areas such as the use of greenhouses, which will be established in palm tree farms run by the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee (PARC). Palm trees grown during the training period will be given to farmers who have suffered losses.

Meanwhile, the CCP concluded a $353,000 project which focused on social and psychological support in raising children. The project spanned 29 villages and two refugee camps in Ramallah, Jericho and Jerusalem, working on skills development of about 40 kindergarten teachers and 640 parents.

 Japan has donated $1.1 billion in aid to the Palestinians since 1993 for the development and improvement of many sectors including health and agriculture, as well as humanitarian aid.

M.N./F.J.