DILI, 12 june 2023 (TATOLI)- Timor-Leste Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA-TL) and the New Zealand Embassy in Timor Leste (ADRA) together with farmers and customers evaluate the value chain of the SHAPE program.
ADRA-TL Country Director, Virginia Pycroft said today’s meeting aims to evaluate the progress of the agricultural product value chain for the production and commercialization process, adding that ADRA-TL works closely with local farmers in the process of growing the local products, production, and also the commercialization process.
“We discussed the local product value chain process and we also evaluated the sustainability of product stocks, production, and market systems,” said ADRA-TL Country Director, Virginia Pycroft at the ETDA meeting room, Fatuhada, this Monday.
Ms. Pycroft said ADRA also supports farmers with capacity building in financial literacy, financial management, business skills, and market skills.
ADRA also plays an important role in working with farmers to ensure that products collected from farmers are of good quality.
First Secretary for Development of the New Zealand Embassy, Nick Borthwick said, the New Zealand Embassy in Timor Leste is committed to working with the Timor Leste government, Development partners, and also supporting local farmers to increase local products.
“We are pleased to be working with government ministries such as the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), Minister of Trade and Tourism Industry (MTCI), and other related institutions to help farmers,”
Mr. Nick appreciated ADRA’s technical support to help local farmers intensify local produce and connect to the domestic market.
“It’s great that ADRA has provided a Memorandum of Understanding with several consumers to buy products from local farmers, this is a positive value chain progress,” he said
So far the SHAPE program has involved 519 farmers consisting of 309 men and 210 women.
Meanwhile, from January to March 2023, farmers collected more than 22,058.00 USD from the sale of local products such as ginger, coconut candlenut, and elephant leg sweet potato cultivated in the municipality of Viqeuque.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
