Pear project in the Dominican Republic　ドミニカ共和国梨プロジェクト　

As the minister of the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Japan was impressed by the taste of the Matsudo Pear, which is one of the city’s specialties, technical assistance of pear-cultivation in the country has begun with the aim of gaining recognition for Matsudo City and the brand value of the Matsudo Pears.

その際に、駐日ドミニカ共和国大使館公使が、本市の特産品である梨の味を大変気に入ったため、ドミニカ共和国で「まつどの梨」の栽培支援を通じて、本市及び「まつどの梨」の認知度及びブランド力向上を目指し、本事業を開始しました。

In March 2021, the project was officially adopted as a JICA Partnership Program by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Now, the pear project which initially started as an international exchange has began to take on a broader aspect of international cooperation. This has had a ripple effect on various facets of the city’s relationship-building with the Dominican Republic in the area of sports, culture, etc., in turn, strongly advancing the city’s internationalization.

令和3年3月、本プロジェクトは、独立行政法人国際協力機構（JICA）の草の根技術協力事業に採択されました。国際交流から始まった本事業は、国際協力へとその様相を変え、またスポーツや文化など様々な分野に交流が広がり、本市の国際化をより一層推進しています。

In the center of the Dominican Republic lies the agricultural base Constanza City, La Vega, standing at a height of approximately 1,200 meters high. The annual mean temperature is 18 degrees Celsius (64.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Thanks to the cool annual temperatures compared to national average, Constanza City is a suitable area for pear-growing within the mountainous region. This is where "the Local Specialty Japanese Pear Cultivation in La Culata Project" has begun.

事業の対象地域は、同国中央のラ・ベガ県コンスタンサ市内に位置するラ・クラタ地区です。コンスタンサ市は、山間部であり、標高約 1220m、気温は約18度と全国平均よりも低く、梨の栽培に適した地域です。

In order to disseminate pear cultivation technologies and knowledge, we welcome agricultural specialists from the Dominican Republic as training participants and provide them with fruit-growing lectures courtesy of Chiba University. We also provide opportunities for them to visit orchards in the city and on-site trainings in cooperation with the Matsudo Pear Farming Agritourism Association.

ドミニカ共和国から農業関係者を受け入れ、松戸市観光梨園組合連合会の協力のもと、市内観光梨園の視察や実施指導を行い、千葉大学では、果樹栽培に関する講義を実施いただいています。

In order to provide technical knowledge and practical solutions for pear-growing, we dispatch experts to the Dominican Republic for on-site instructions in the fields.

ドミニカ共和国へ梨の専門家を派遣し、現地の圃場で栽培指導を実施しています。

We set up booths to provide information about the Dominican Republic at annual events such as the Matsudo Festival and the Matsudo International Cultural Festival.

松戸まつりや国際文化祭等において、ドミニカ共和国の紹介を実施しています。

The JICA Partnership Program is a cooperation program which was formulated and launched by organizations such as Japanese NGOs, local governments, and universities with the intention of international collaboration to utilize their accumulated knowledge and experience based on the coordination with JICA. This partnership program contributes to the social and economic development and revitalization of regional communities and the citizens of developing countries.
(From JICA homepage)

草の根技術協力事業は、国際協力の意思のある団体が、これまでの活動を通じて蓄積した知見や経験に基づく国際協力活動を、JICA と団体の協力関係のもとに実施する共同事業です。本事業は開発途上国の地域住民の経済・社会の開発または復興に寄与することを目的としています。（JICAホームページより）

Details on "JICA Partnership Program" and "The Local Specialty Japanese Pear Cultivation in La Culata Project" are also available on the following links.
「JICA 草の根技術協力事業」および「日本梨をラ・クラタ地区の特産品にする産地形成プロジェクト」の詳細は下記リンクからもご覧いただけます。