(i) A field intervention is underway in cooperation with Mitsui & Co, Ltd., a leading Japanese general trading company to develop appropriate solar energy applications in order to support rural agriculture production and irrigation systems in the Chibuto Millennium Village (details)

(a) The direct beneficiaries represent 342 village farmers of the Farmers’ Association of the MV demonstration farm. An investment by Mitsui & Co in the amount of around US$ 2 million and a contribution by UNDP led to the development of the project design, testing.

(b) In addition, UNDP led the development of field project support including GSB technical and co-funding contributions.

(c) Strategic areas of support include irrigation systems to enhance the local capacity to grow both subsistence and commercial crops and promote the development of sustainable livelihoods and technology transfer in agricultural production.