DILI, 19 december 2022 (TATOLI)- Koli group of farmers wishes to transform the Kaikoli hill area in Venilale, Baucau municipality into an Agro-Forestry system for a tourism site.
The wishes were made by Cesaltino Vareis, the person in charge of the Koli group, in a statement published by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ).
The aim of transforming Kaikoli hill into an Agroforestry system was to attract visitors/tourists both domestic and regional also help farmers in rural areas to grow different crops and trees in the same area, which can diversify food and tree production for household income.
“We have a dream; we want to make Mount Kaikoli an Agro-tourism area. We hope to attract both domestic and regional tourists. In the future, we can show the agroforestry system to tourists/visitors,” Cesaltino Vareis said in a statement.
Mr. Vareis and his group’s experienced working together and with the support of Ai ba future changed Mount Kaikoli, planting fruit trees and trees going forward, he wants to turn it into agro-tourism.
Cesaltino Varela decided to implement the Ai ba future project in 2019. A total of 52 households were involved and planted trees on 38 hectares of land on Mount Kaikoli.
Various species are planted on Mount Kaikoli, such as Casuarina mahogany, rosewood, Australian red cedar, avocado, orange, guava, rambutan, pineapple, and many more with an agroforestry system and will turn into agro-tourism in the future.
“Even though I was only in 4th grade, the skills I got from ai ba future can change my life. I am diligent and conspicuous. I am able to lead my group to improve our lives, a new house, bought a motorbike, paid for my child’s schooling, and was able to support my family.” Said the head of the Koli Group, Cesaltino Varela.
Prior to implementing the Ai ba Futuru project, the group was trained in various topics related to agroforestry. In addition, each member of the group has their own field, and they grow crops such as cassava, corn, papaya, banana, pineapple, shallots, vegetables, and many more.
Cesaltino, on behalf of his group, appreciated Al ba Futuru for training and supporting them.
Ai ba Futuru is co-financed by the European Union Timor-Leste and the German Government’s Bundes ministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) and implemented with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAP-tetun).
Although the practice of agroforestry is not new to farmers, it is in fact growing a variety of perennial and perennial crops in the same area.
However, over the course of five years, the Ai ba Futuru project introduced, expanded, and taught agroforestry systems to farmers in the municipalities of Baucau, Lautem, Manatuto, and Viqueque.
As an example, reforestation activities on Mount Kaikoli used an agroforestry system approach which is located in the village of Kabula De Cima, Uailaha village, Venilale administrative post, Baucau.
The publication about the Koli Group was the last publication from Ai ba Futuru, and GIZ would close with the success story of the Koli group in Venilale.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
