DILI,30 january 2023 ( TATOLI)- National Director and Horticulture, Lucio Ribeiro said that in 2023 the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries ( MAF) will allocate around $800,000 to buy corn and paddy seeds products from local farmers.
” The fund allocated this year around $ 800,000 to buy 160 tons paddy seeds ($430,000) and 140 tons corns seeds ($ 330,000),” said Lucio Ribeiro to TATOLI in his office Comoro, Dili.
In addition, it will also be used to buy various vegetable seeds and pesticide drugs to combat pests.
He emphasized that by buying these seeds MAF has a strategic plan to guarantee an increase in agricultural producers and it hoped that within a short period, it can reach 50,000 hectares of land.
In 2022 MAF has also distributed a free charge of 300 tons of corn and paddy seeds to all farmers in the territory.
Currently, MAF has not yet reached this target because the community’s need for riches reaches 140,000 tons annually while rice production in 2022 is just 143,000 tons only. And if it is produced into new rice as much as 86,000 tons.
He acknowledged that to meet national needs MAF also increased other products such as corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, and other products, although the most important thing was rice because it had become a public need.
The Director also asked young people to participate and increase local food production because currently the majority of those who are still actively working in agriculture are parents aged 50 years and above so productivity is decreased.
Journalist: Sidalia Fatima
Editor: Armanda Moniz
Translationr: Camilio de Sousa
