DILI, 24 september 2021 (TATOLI) – Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAP) signed an agreement of US$ 6 million on the Agricultural Value Chain pilot project to be implemented in three municipalities, namely Aileu, Ainaro and Liquiça.
The US$ 6 million for the implementation of the project was supported by KOICA.
“KOICA, as the Korean development agency, has worked very closely with Timor-Leste for both social and economic development since the independence of Timor-Leste in 2002. And this new project is the first cooperation project in the agricultural sector between Timor-Leste and KOICA,” KOICA Country Director Eunju Cha said in her speech during the signing of the agreement, at the Ministry of Finance, in Dili, today.
She said this new project will directly focus on agriculture as an economic development program, to increase farmers’ income in the three municipalities.
“Despite the restriction during the Covid-19 pandemic and state of emergency, we were able to draw the final project document which fully reflects the demands of three municipalities. Thanks to the hard works and contribution of our dear colleagues in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries,” Eunju Cha said.
At the same place, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAP), Pedro dos Reis informed the pilot project would be focusing on promoting and strengthening best horticultural practices in the three municipalities.
“Based on the result of the soil fertility test recommended by the soil testing specialist, therefore, Aileu, Ainaro, and Liquiça were chosen for the implementation of the pilot project,” said Reis.
“I would like to call on both parties MAP and KOICA to have a good collaboration during the implementation of this project to achieve a good result. This is because; these three municipalities would become a good example for the implementation of the same project in other municipalities.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
