DILI 11 january 2023 ( TATOLI) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery ( MAF) and Toos ba Moris Diak (TOMAK) from the Australian Embassy in Timor – Leste today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the Integrated of Agriculture Project in three Municipalities in Timor – Leste.
General Director of Cooperation and Institutional Development of MAF, Cezar José da Cruz, said the signing of the MoU today is the continuation of Integrated Agriculture Project Phase I, which had implemented in three Municipalities such as Baucau, Vikeke, and Bobonaro from 2016- 2022 and today TOMAK and MAF continue the phase II Project from 2023 to 2026.
“With this signing of MoU, MAF and Tomak will work together to continue supporting the farmers and empowering them to plant the vegetable, paddy, and corn and keep the animals to increase the food alimentary security and promote the market to resilient of sustainable economic in Timor – Leste,” the General Director of MAF, Cezar Jose da Cruz told reporters at the office of MAF, Comoro Dili on wednesday.
Cruz, added, MAF will continue to work together with TOMAK, to increase the productivity of food alimentary security through the Integrated Agriculture project to produce food that has the protein and carbohydrates to be consumed in Timor – Leste, besides of that TOMAK and MAF will support them in the market in selling their products for increasing the family’s economic and contribute the national economic growth in Timor – Leste.
At the same place Coordinator of Agriculture Rural Development, in the Embassy of Australia, Joaquim Soriano Soares, said, the Government of Australia through TOMAK had worked together with MAF since 2016 up to know and had implemented the Integrated Agriculture Project in three Municipalities such as Baucau, Vikeke and Bobonaro and had benefited 69 villages of the farmer community.
” The first Integrated Agriculture Project which is implemented by MAF was accomplished. Based on the evaluation, MAF has successfully implemented over 70% project, with this accomplishment, Australia’s Government through TOMAK continues to support the Integrated Agriculture project phase II will remain to implement in Baucau, Viqueque, and Bobonaro with new 55 villages from 2023 to 2026, aiming to support farmers community to produce the food alimentary security and to access market in strengthening the economic growth in Timor – Leste,” he said.
The Agriculture Integrated Project is supported by the Government of Australia and is implemented together by TOMAK and MAF from 2016 – to 2022 ( phase I) and continued to phase II from 2023 to 2026 with a budget worth AU$ 50 million during 10 years in Timor – Leste.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
