DILI, 27 august, 2021 (TATOLI)- Ministry of Tourism Trade and Industry (MTCI) offered 100.000 USD dollars for World Food Program (WFP) to purchase Vitamin and Minerals Items on food Fortification to End Micronutrient Malnutrition For Healthier Future.
The Country Director of WFP in Timor-Leste, Dageng Liu said that the government of Timor-Leste through MTCI in coordinating with WFP to procure the vitamin and minerals items to mix with local food in Timor-Leste such as local rice to increase the number of nutrient foods.
He added that this program is aimed to increase the nutrient foods for Timorese people to consume, as WFP considered Timor-Leste country has plenty of food but less of nutrients foods.
“Timor-Leste is considered as a country that has low nutrient foods, thus the MTCI is in coordinating with WFP to Purchase Nutrition and vitamin items to mix with local products,” The WFP country Director, Dageng Liu told Journalists, at the MTCI meeting room in Bebora, on 26, this Thursday.
Mr. Liu emphasized that this program is considered in small human investment with small capital, however, it will bring a big impact and give the hugest review on the economy in Timor-Leste.
This program is to have engagement between United Nations Agencies in Timor-Leste with the government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Tourism, Trade, and Industry (MTCI) on implementing the program on taking the lead to invest and adopt the Strategy of introduction and scaling up of rice Fortification in TL.
WFP recognized that Timor-Leste is growing foods that can respond to daily consumption just to make people feel full, but it is less on nutritive foods that can ensure people to be growing smart and healthier.
He added that WFP, through this partnership with MTCI is required to support the scaling up rice fortification in this country.
TL has made significant improvement in addressing ZeroHunger, with the proportion of hungry poor falling from 46.7% to 34.3%. However, 42% of the population still live on less than US$. 1.5 a day. It means that a healthy diet remains out of reach for many in Timor- Leste.
The Minister of Tourism Trade and Industry, José Lucas Do Carno Da Silva, said that this program aimed to provide nutrient foods for the Timorese people to consume.
‘It is required the support from WFP to ensure the foods are mixed with vitamin and mineral, such as local rice, corn, beans, soy, red beans, long beans, local meat, fruits, and fresh vegetables and ect.’Mr. Silva said.
Mr. Da Silva encourages Timorese farmers to cultivate the nutrient foods and all people might be able to purchase. As currently MTCI will establish the LOJA DO POVO and people can access the nutrient foods.
The pilot program of nutrient foods will benefit students in Dili more especially for the students in five schools in Metinaro, Maneluana, Delau, Darlau, and Libetu’u as being selected by the Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS).
‘This program will be rolling for one year and hopefully, the program will be expanded to all students around the country.’ Silva said.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
