JICA EAP: Phase – I
To further promote agricultural diversification in the state, the “Himachal Pradesh Crop Diversification Promotion Project” with a budget of ₹321 crore was implemented from June 2011 with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This project was systematically implemented in five districts of the state, namely Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Mandi, Kangra, and Una, up to the year 2020. Under this project, various measures were undertaken to promote vegetable production and crop diversification, including provision of irrigation facilities, farm access roads, formation of farmer groups, dissemination of technical knowledge for vegetable production and marketing, and training of agricultural officers working in the project areas.
Under the project, 210 minor irrigation schemes, 29.40 km of approach roads, and 23 collection centers were constructed.
JICA EAP- Phase II
The project received formal approval from JICA, Tokyo, in April 2020. On 26-03-2021, the project agreement was signed by the Governments of India and Japan. The project has been implemented across all districts of the state since June 2022. A provision of ₹1,010.13 crore has been made for the project, which will be implemented over the next nine years, from 2021 to 2029.
The project is being managed by the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Development Society (HPADS), which has a Governing Board chaired by the Agriculture Minister and an Executive Committee chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture. The project headquarters is located in Hamirpur. Under the project, irrigation facilities will be constructed or strengthened in 306 villages, covering approximately 8,000 hectares of cultivable land, thereby benefiting around 30,000 farmer families in the state. In 2024-25, a provision of ₹105 crore was made for this scheme, of which ₹99.05 crore was spent under the JICA phase. For the year 2025-26, ₹50.00 crore has been allocated for project implementation. In this phase, a total of 296 sub-projects will be prepared, of which DPRs for 280 sub-projects have already been completed. Construction of 92 sub-projects has been finished, 109 sub-projects are under progress, tenders for 195 sub-projects have been approved, and construction work for 144 sub-projects has been allocated. Activities under the JICA project include development of basic infrastructure, capacity building of staff, market yard upgrades, centers of excellence for vegetables, and training centers at Solan and Una. In the current year, two dairy extension centers and one dairy processing center will be established at a cost of approximately ₹70 crore.