DILI, 10 march 2022 (TATOLI)—The Embassy of South Korea committed to support the Timor-Leste’s government on horticultural farming projects in three villages in Timor-Leste.
This project is supported through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF). It is focused on the agricultural value chain for improvement through active participation of farmers in Timor-Leste.
KOICA’s Project Management Committee (PMC), Kim Jangsaeng said in his remarks that the KOREA government is pleased to be able to collaborate with extraordinary people in TL. The project is reflecting a sense of wisdom, union, experience and enthusiasm among two countries.
“We want to work with start-ups, food factories and food processing organizations. More value will be added to our products and new markets will be created. These activities are expected to ensure sustainable community development,” said Professor Kim at the launch event at the Ministry of Finance, this thursday.
KOICA suggests three strategies that are made up of the intensification of crop production, organization, and marketing. “First, we will develop agricultural irrigation and roads. Developing water sources and to enable farmers to increase productivity and provide market accessibility on road construction”.
Korean experts will provide extension workers who have capability for farming and cooperative leaders’ groups. Farmers will be equipped with agricultural and processing machinery and materials. It is ensuring the cooperative can be established.
The 420 farmers will be facilitated by this project, in Seloi Kraik, 6,300 farmers in Horai-ki’ik and 450 farmers in Kamele-Horu.
MAF Minister Pedro dos Reis thanked the South Korean Government for providing financial support in the amount of $6 million.
“We have produced a lot of horticulture and there is still a lot of waste. This is a golden opportunity. It required cooperation with local authorities,” Minister Pedro said.
Director of MAP, Maria Odete do Céu Guterres, said this project is the result of a collaboration that has been pursued since 2019 and through a memorandum of understanding that has been signed since 2022.
KOICA wants to diversify products and linking to the distribution channels. All products will be collected in a platform center and consumers can be accessed. It will be providing a direct trade linking production and customers. Especially focus on the domestic market, especially in Dili. The demand can be expanded to international markets.
South Korean Ambassador to TL, Kim Jeong said that this new project will contribute directly to Timorese farmers. The government of South Korea committed to cooperating with TL on developing the agricultural and economic sector.
The Chief’s village of Seloi Kraik, from Aileu municipality, Gabriel Mendonça, thanked the South Korean government and KOICA for selecting Seloi Kraik to become beneficiary for this project and appreciate this project will be implemented from march to april 2022.
The project is funded by the Government of South Korea through KOICA for $6 million.
This project will be implemented in three villages such as Seloi Kraik village in Aileu, Horai-ki’ik in Ainaro and Kamele-Horu in Liquiça. The project is provided for 2022-2025.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Rafy Belo
