February 21: The Ministry of Agriculture has received 179 power tillers with accessories under the KR II Grant.

The power tillers were handed over by the Minister-Councilor of the Embassy of Japan, Keizo Takewaka to the Agriculture Secretary Sherub Gyeltshen in Paro yesterday.

Speaking at the handing taking ceremony, the Agriculture Secretary, Sherub Gyeltshen, said the agriculture machinery provided by the Japanese government under the KR II Grant has immensely benefited Bhutanese farmers.

The Minister-Councilor of the Embassy of Japan, Keizo Takewaka said the government of Japan is happy with the development cooperation with Bhutan. He said Japan is happy to know that their assistance has been properly used and that it has benefited the people.

The Program Director of the Agriculture Machinery Centre, Cheten Wangchen, said the demand for power tillers is increasing every year. More than 850 people and 28 farmer’s groups have applied for power tillers.

Cheten Wangchen said the 28 farmer’s group will be given a power tiller each. The remaining power tillers will distributed to farmers in the 20 dzongkhags. Each dzongkhag will get about eight power tillers.

The power tillers will be sold to the farmers at subsidized rate of Nu. 112,000. The actual cost of each power tiller is almost Nu. 400,000.

So far Bhutan has received 2,180 power tillers and 300 tractors under the KR II Grant.

Bhutan has been receiving Japanese KR II grant assistance since 1984.