Cambodia has received a grant of $164,269 from the Japanese government to improve post-harvest operations at Kratie Province’s cashew nuts facilities. Misumi Takahito, chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Japan, and Try Sopheak, director of Kratie’s Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, signed the contract on Oct. 2 under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (“KUSANONE”) framework. “I have just recently arrived in Cambodia about a month ago and am surprised by the momentum of Cambodia’s rapid development,” Misumi said. “At the same time, I have also learned that there are still various challenges to be addressed in order to further improve the people’s quality of life.” The grant is to enable the construction of three warehouses and drying yards, along with the installation of three moisture testers at three agricultural cooperatives, he said. Cashew nuts processing, through the 500 cooperative members, is expected to, Misumi said, “increase the volume of cashew nuts available for sale,” thereby contributing to further the country’s agriculture development. Japan’s “KUSANONE” projects began in 1991 in Cambodia, and have provided over $72 million mainly for local authorities and non-governmental organizations to implement over 700 projects across the country. Those projects have helped with reconstruction and development at grassroots level with the purpose of safeguarding vulnerable individuals affected by factors such as poverty and/or misfortunes that directly threaten their lives, livelihood and dignity. The projects also foster self-reliance within the local communities, according to the Japanese government.