Latest news with #JapanInternationalCooperationAgency
3 days ago
- Business
JICA Signs Deal to Invest in Brazilian Farm Fintech Firm
News from Japan Economy May 29, 2025 14:17 (JST) Sao Paulo, May 28 (Jiji Press)--The Japan International Cooperation Agency has decided to invest in Brazilian fintech company Agrolend, which offers financing to small- and medium-sized farmers in the country within as quickly as two days of application. The Japanese government-backed agency held a signing ceremony Wednesday in Sao Paulo, the biggest city in Brazil. It hopes the investment will help ensure stable food procurement by Japan, which imports such crops as soybeans and corns from the South American agricultural giant. Fund procurement has been a bottleneck for small- and medium-sized Brazilian farmers, who account for over 70 pct of all farmers in the country. By utilizing information technology, Agrolend successfully shortened the period needed for screening loan applications. The company has allowed farmers in need of funds to purchase seeds and fertilizers to apply for financing via the WhatsApp communication app and receive loans quickly. Established in December 2020, Agrolend provides financing services to some 2,700 farmers in Brazil. In the latest fund raising deal aimed at expanding its businesses, the company procured 56 million dollars from JICA and others. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
India Gazette
19-05-2025
- Science
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand Forest Department establishes state's first Cycad Garden at Haldwani
Haldwani (Uttarakhand) [India], May 19 (ANI): Uttarakhand Forest Department has established the state's first Cycad Garden at Haldwani. The garden is home to thirty-one different species of cycads, seventeen of which are classified as threatened. The garden has been established on an area of over two acres with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Of these, nine species are native to India. Notably, only about fourteen cycad species have been reported from the country. Some of the prominent native cycad species in this garden include Cycas andamanica, Cycas beddomei, Cycas zeylanica, Cycas pectinata, and Cycas circinalis. Chief Conservator of Forests (Research), Sanjiv Chaturvedi, said, 'Cycads are the most threatened group of plants on earth, and they have been on this planet since the Mesozoic era. This garden has been established for conservation and studies on plant evolution and climate change impact.' Cycads, considered 'living fossils', have been used by humans for various purposes, including food, medicine, and cultural significance. They are also known for their ornamental value and have been heavily exploited for this reason. They are a remarkable group of plants that have survived through time and continue to play important ecological, cultural, and aesthetic are long-lived plants with slow growth and low reproductive rates, which makes them particularly vulnerable to habitat disturbance. They are also known to fix nitrogen through a symbiotic association with cyanobacteria residing in their coralloid roots.' The cycad garden garden has been established over an area of around 0.75 hectare. It presently houses around 20 different species like the endemic Cycas annaikalensis from Kerala, Cycas orixensisastern Ghats of Odisha and Cycas beddomei from Andhra Pradesh. The main objective of establishing this cycad garden was further Research in these species and to create awareness among people. The new cycad garden provides a glimpse into the world of this threatened species and highlights the need to protect these ancient species for future generations. (ANI)
Shafaq News
12-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Basra's stability a magnet: Japan to boost economic engagement
Shafaq News/ Japan is looking to scale up its economic engagement in Iraq's Basra province, Ambassador Akira Endo confirmed on Monday. During a visit to the province, Endo discussed expanding Japanese corporate involvement in key development efforts with Governor Asaad al-Eidani. 'We explored ways to enhance Japanese firms' contributions across strategic sectors,' Endo told Shafaq News. Discussions covered major projects including the al-Hartha desalination plant, oil refining upgrades, power generation, and port expansion, al-Eidani revealed, adding that Endo viewed Basra's security stability as 'key' for attracting long-term investment. Through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Tokyo has funded critical projects in Basra, including the Basrah Water Supply Improvement Project.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Mizoram boosts infra in state-run hosps
1 2 Aizawl: The Mizoram govt has enhanced healthcare infrastructure in state-run hospitals and facilities while implementing the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS), through staff recruitment and equipment upgrades, according to state health & family welfare minister Lalrinpuii on a MUHCS implementation performance review meeting, Lalrinpuii confirmed the recruitment of 300 additional nurses and 100 multi task workers. She noted the completed hiring of X-ray and lab technicians, along with a public relations officer. The recruitment of 100 health workers continues, whilst several primary health centres (PHC) and health sub-centres will be developed using NABARD development of a cancer super speciality hospital is progressing swiftly with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funding, she stated. Additionally, Zoram Medical College & Hospital is establishing 10 new intensive care units (ICUs) alongside a cardiothorasic neurosurgery also mentioned ongoing efforts to establish renal transplant facilities at the Aizawl civil the scheme's launch with cashless facilities on April 1 until Wednesday, the state govt has disbursed over Rs 2.59 crore to various empanelled hospitals under MUHCS for treating 2,943 bills worth Rs. 4.11 crore await payment after scrutiny, while 490 patient treatment bills remain unsettled. Currently, most private and church-operated hospitals remain reluctant to join MUHCS, citing concerns about substantial financial losses.
Roya News
08-05-2025
- Business
- Roya News
Crown Prince, JICA president discuss advancing economic, development cooperation
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II on Thursday met with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Tanaka Akihiko in Tokyo to discuss ways to advance cooperation in economic and development fields. The Crown Prince expressed pride in the deep-rooted partnership between Jordan and Japan, praising JICA's pivotal role in supporting development projects in the Kingdom in a number of vital areas, including the Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project. The meeting also covered opportunities for cooperation in artificial intelligence projects, advanced skills training, and enhancing digital infrastructure, in line with the objectives of Jordan's National Council for Future Technology. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan, and Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Zaid Baqain attended the meeting.
