DILI, 01 october 2022 (TATOLI) – The Secretary of State for Youth and Sports (SSYS), Abrão Saldanha said the Government of Timor-Leste through SSYS will support Timorese youth who wish to engage in and run agricultural activities to ensure food security.
“SSYS calls on Timorese youth to work diligently in the agriculture and fisheries sector to ensure sustainable food security in Timor-Leste,” Secretary State for Youth and Sports, Abrão Saldanha, told TATOLI at the launching of the agricultural report, at Suai Room, in Timor-Plaza, Dili, on Friday
He said the government has prepared a budget of US$50 million to support the Suave Loan Program which will facilitate the Timorese youth to carry out their agricultural and farming activities.
“Because these agricultural activities will definitely hire other Timorese youth to support their family’s economic hardship,” he said.
Saldanha said that the government’s policy is designed to support all agricultural activities, aiming to reduce imported food and promote locally grown food: “The government has planned to have 75% of food produced locally. Because of that, young people need to intensify their agricultural and farming activities.”
Currently, almost 85% of the population of Timor-Leste are young people aged between 17 and 35.
“Therefore, promoting youth engagement and employment in agriculture is important to ensuring food security in the country,” Saldanha concluded.
Journalis: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia Borges
