DILI, june 15, 2023 (2021)— The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) recommended the Timorese Government Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery encourage the farmers to continue producing local, sustainable produce. The goal is to intensify local products in responding to food security.
FAO Representative in TL, Paula Lopes Da Crus said that FAO is working with MAP to provide technical assistance in sustainable agriculture in several sectors.
“We are working with MAP to promote agricultural conservation, provide disaster risk assistance, and improve agriculture systems,” said Paula Lopes Da Crus to Tatoli in Delta Nova, Comoro Dili, this Thursday.
Additionally, FAO also provides information to the government to use environmentally friendly agricultural systems.
In addition, FAO is also working hard to promote and ensure food security in this country.
Paula hopes that all the technical assistance is given to farmers to be invested in the proposed increase in local products and contribute to cases of malnutrition and stunting in TL.
“FAO always provides advocacy to ensure the government carries out integrated interventions to intensify local crops,” he said
For such reason, integrated cooperation from the agricultural system is needed, such as the provision of good plants, water sanitation, road accessibility, and others.
It is known that FAO provided every year a budget of $2 million, to support MAP intensify local crops including technical support to farmers.
Meanwhile, WFP Country Director in TL, Alba Cecilia Garzon Oliveira said that WFP currently is analyzing the main issues that could be driving forces in this country.
“We are gathering information on food security issues to inform the new government in providing sufficient budget, thereby increasing local crops in the country,” he said.
He explained that the allocation of the State Budget (APBN) is a step to increase the national product.
“As in 2023, the Timor-Leste government will provide 2 percent of the State Budget for the Agriculture and Fisheries sector. However, this budget is not enough to effectively focus on priority areas to increase local food,” he said.
WFP acknowledges that more than 48% of the population in Timor-Leste lives in underprivileged conditions. Therefore, the government must provide more budget to ensure that everyone can consume local products which can have a major impact on the food system and also reduce malnutrition and stunting in this country.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: NElia B
