The ICA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of the Government of Japan, Tokyo signed an agreement for the implementation of the “Capacity Building Project for Farmers’ Organizations to Support the Development of Food Value Chain in Asia and Africa in FY-2020” for the period from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021, which comprises the four programs as follows:

1. Program-1: Training Course on Strengthening Management and Development of Agricultural Cooperatives and Farmers’ Organizations in Asia and Africa.
2. Program-2: Training Course on Empowering of Rural Women for Improvement of their Leadership and Business and Management.
3. Program-3: Training Course on Strengthening of Marketing through Improvement of Quality of Farm Produce and Expansion of Marketing Channels.
4. Program-4: Follow-up Guidance and Survey of Ex-participants.

Given the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing restrictions on travel, the three trainings are to be held online. The first training on “Strengthening of Marketing through Improvement of Quality Farm Produce and Expansion of Marketing Channels” will take place from 05th  to 24th November 2020. 13 participants from eight Asian countries (Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka)  have been invited to participate in the training program.