Switzerland recently finalized a bilateral agreement on scheduled air transport with the Togolese Republic, modernizing and liberalizing traffic rights between the two countries. This new agreement, announced by the Swiss government, supersedes the previous air transport agreement established in 1980.
According to Africa News Agency, Bilateral agreements on scheduled air transport are crucial for airlines to operate in foreign destinations. Switzerland currently maintains over 150 such agreements worldwide. This latest agreement with Togo signifies a step towards enhanced connectivity and cooperation between the two nations.
Additionally, Switzerland updated its existing air transport agreement with the United Arab Emirates on December 5, 2023, further expanding its global air transport network.
Kirinyaga County, Kenya – In a significant move to bolster agricultural productivity, Kirinyaga County has embarked on a collaborative project with the Japanese government, aiming to enhance the capabilities of small-scale rice farmers. This initiative, announced during a meeting between the County Deputy Governor David Githanda and Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya, Ken Okaniwa, at Mwea in Kirinyaga County, represents a strategic effort to improve farmers’ incomes through modern farming techniques.
According to Kenya News Agency, valued at Sh13 billion, is set to be executed over a two-year period under the aegis of the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA). The funds will primarily focus on training extension workers, who in turn will assist farmers in enhancing the quality of their produce and gaining better access to markets. Additionally, the program will support various experimental projects in the county, particularly in regions with the potential to double agricultural output.
During his courtesy visit, Ambassador Okaniwa also inspected the Mwea Rice Irrigation Scheme and evaluated the efficiency of Thiba Dam in supplying water to distant canals. He emphasized the importance of integrating county programs into the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) to ensure effective promotion and implementation of these agricultural projects. Commending the cordial relationship between the County Government and the Japanese Government, Ambassador Okaniwa expressed optimism about exploring new horticultural export markets to further enhance the livelihoods of local farmers.
Deputy Governor David Githanda assured the Japanese delegation of the County Government’s full support. He expressed gratitude for Japan’s commitment to supporting Kirinyaga’s farmers and acknowledged JICA’s ongoing contributions to transformative empowerment programs in the county. Githanda highlighted the significant impact of Thiba Dam, which has expanded rice cultivation to ten thousand acres in previously water-scarce regions.
Senator Kamau Murango, head of the agricultural committee in the Senate, noted that the funding would enable more rice farmers to optimize unused land, particularly upon the completion of permanent water canals. He stressed the project’s broader implications for national food security and job creation, aligning with the Kenya Kwanza government’s key objectives.
The Senator also urged contractors working on the canal projects to expedite their efforts, emphasizing the urgency of these developments for the agricultural sector.