Reported in April 18, 2018 An article about next term agricultural project, which was agreed with the Karen State Government on August 28, 2018, was published in a local newspaper.

Second-Phase Regional Development Project MOU Agreement was made between Kayin State Government and Greater Mekong Subregion Agriculture and Education Development Center in Hpa-An on August 28th, 2018.

Greater Mekong Subregion Agriculture and Education Development Center (GMSAEDC) has been conducting a regional development project in Karen State since 24th Nov 2017.

They had visited at the Karen State Government Office and made MOU agreement with Karen Chief Minister, Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint and Minister of Agriculture Livestock and Irrigation, U Saw Myint Oo yesterday.

The project Manager of GMSAEDC, Mr Yuki OZAKI, had explained that the project was aimed on sustainable livelihood programs, such as sharing knowledge on agriculture and livestock farming technologies and to support peace building process between Myanmar Government and Karen Ethnic Armed Organizations. Moreover, succeeded project outcomes, future plans and progress for secondproject- phase have been discussed, especially on income generation activities for Karen Ethnic Returnee such as natural Bokashi organic fertilizer production activities.

Then, Chief Minister of Karen State had delivered a short speech on related matters after Project Manager of GMSAEDC had explained the progress and achievements of GMC. Besides, she had given a word of application on GMSAEDC’s efforts for Karen people.

With the financial aid of Japanese MoFA and Nippon Foundation, GMSAEDC has been implemented intensive agriculture trainings and workshops, supporting infrastructures for training centers, seed storage and mushroom incubation houses, agricultural machines such as hand tractors, threshers, harvester, etc., and livestock for Karen Ethnic Returnees in cooperation and coordination with Karen State Department of Agriculture (KSDoA), Karen National Union (KNU), Karen Agriculture Department (KAD), Karen Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC) at first-project- phase in Ka Moh Ka Po Seed Farm, Htee Wah Plaw Agricultural Farm in KNU/KNLA-PC area, Lay Kay Kaw Farm in Hpa An Township, Myawaddy District. Additionally, income generating activities (IGAs) will be conducted as the progress of second-project-phase in Karen State in the future.