DILI, july 12, 2023 (TATOLI) – Suresh Lakshminarayanan, Manager of World Food Program (WFP) Nutrition and Social Protection, appreciates Timor-Leste’s young groups who are involved in the Agora Food Studio and are interested in cooking and selling traditional indigenous food that contributes to the reduction of malnutrition in Timor-Leste.
“WFP appreciates the young groups cooking nutritious meals at Ahi-Matan and Agora Food Studio, she added. Today, We are here to get the opportunity to perform and deliver, and many people do not get the opportunity to come to this stage. We create the opportunity for our community within the established Agora Food Studio,’’ WFP nutrition and Social protection manager Suresh Lakshminarayanan told journalists in Comoro this Wednesday.
Agora Food Studio provided various traditional nutritious foods composed of coconut rice, Tukir, desserts, Beverages, green local meat, vegetables, and others. It can be found in some places in Dili, such as Timor Plaza and other places. This is part of the youth’s contribution towards the reduction of malnutrition.
He said as a young nation, Timor-Leste should address this major issue of malnutrition. He, therefore, suggested the young Timorese do something for the community where they came from to contribute to the development of agriculture, food security, and nutrition.
“Young people, after gaining knowledge and skill, should better go back to do something for the community where they come from to contribute to the development of agriculture and any other related sectors to contribute to food security and nutrition because his country should address this major issue of malnutrition.”
WFP considered that youth played a very important role in addressing malnutrition and food insecurity in the country. But the Timorese youth also has a big potential contribution to make in transforming local foods into delicious foods that are worthy of consumption.
“WFP observed that young Timorese youth contribute to combating food insecurity and malnutrition. The Agora Food Studio also supports All the Timorese-based entrepreneurs to get a job, and some others will be recruited to scale up their coverage areas of work to make an impact on the development of Timor-Leste through the improvement of the nutritional status of the children.”
The launch of Youth Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) networking is supported by the World Food Program (WFP) to ensure each young person can help other Timorese people consume a diversity of diets and nutritious foods, which can contribute to the development of the country’s economy in the future.
WFP is working with the government to provide technical assistance by providing capacity building to make it possible for all young people to promote all local products in every municipalities across Timor-Leste.
A total of 40% of young Timorese people have the potential and capability to help local Timorese people consume nutritious foods through nutrition education, diversity of diets, and consumption of nutritious foods. Through these actions, young people can contribute and combat malnutrition, particularly stunting in Timor-Leste.
There are many groups of young people, including a group from Ataúru municipality that has established a restaurant called “AHI MATAN,” which provides nutritious foods called “Tuku Belar Food,” which is composed of corn and fish and is particularly consumed by the indigenous people in Timor-Leste, including in Ataúru.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
