<p>The Japanese government has today provided $439,261 to a Ja-based NGO to carry out a project offering support to small holders through contract farming of organic cashew nuts through Agriculture Cooperatives. The grant was signed on Friday between Japanese Ambassador Mikami Masahiro and Suzushima Chihoko, the assistant project manager of IVY. </p><p>According to an embassy press release today, IVY will support local farmers and local agriculture cooperative in Preah Vihear so that farmers can produce and sell more value-added organic cashew nuts and get more income to escape poverty. Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mr Masahiro said the project will offer farmers knowledge and techniques of organic cashew nuts, and integrated transportation through the farming community. “We hope that farmers’ income would increase effectively and targeted farmers could grow organic cashew nuts with stability,” he said.</p> Ms Chihoko said IVY will expand its target to a total of 11 agricultural communities in Preah Vihear province, noting that poverty rate in the province is now at 37%, the highest area in the Kingdom. “However, this province is rich in natural resources and non-chemical agriculture products,” Ms Chihoko said. “We are optimistic that the connectivity of international market will push for higher prices for the products in these communities so that farmers could have more income.” <p></p><p>Japan’s grant assistance for Japanese NGO projects started in the Kingdom in 2002 to support activities by the NGOs to help Cambodia’s reconstruction and development efforts at the grassroots level. Since 2002, Japan has provided over $37 million for 122 projects, mainly in the field of primary education, health, agriculture and mine clearance in Cambodia. <br></p>