DILI, 22 August 2022 (TATOLI) – The Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MALFF), Odete Maria do Ceu said, MALFF continues to prioritize agricultural extensification to increase the products of local farmers in Timor Leste.
“The role of MALFF is to increase domestic products especially rice, corn, and other local products to ensure food security in Timor – Leste,” Director General of MALFF Odete Maria do Ceu told TATOLI at his office in Kampung Merdeka, Comoro Dili, on Tuesday.
Maria do Ceu explained, to strengthen the role of MALFF, the ninth constitutional government continued to expand potential paddy fields for vacant land to grow rice and corn.
“The government through the Ministry of Agriculture has been working hard to intensify agriculture sectors through irrigation development, provision of seeds, organic fertilizers, tractor fuel subsidies, and technical assistance support in empowering farmers to produce enough food in Timor-Leste and now the government will continue to use vacant land to plant rice and corn,” he said.
MAF has built 11 irrigations in Timor-Leste municipalities such as; Bebui Irrigation in Vikeke, Karau Ulun in Manatuto, Magalata Irrigation, Larisula in Baucau, Lavai Irrigation in Lautem, Kasemeta in Suai, Tunubibi in Maliana, Kasidi in Manufahi and Tono Irrigation in Oekuse.
Meanwhile, MAF also noted that around 85,000 hectares of potential paddy fields in the national territory and 37,000 hectares have been used to produce 86,000 tons of rice.
In line with that, members of the National Parliament, Luis Norberto da Silva, and Angelina Sarmento urged the G’s moment of the Ministry of Agriculture to allocate a large budget to intensify farmers’ efforts to improve food security in Timor-Leste in order to reduce the country’s dependence on imported food.
“We see that some potential rice fields have been utilized by residents to build houses in Manatuto, Vikeke, and other municipalities, therefore we ask the Ministry of Agriculture to allocate a large budget to address agricultural problems and continue to expand paddy fields to guarantee food security in Timor-Leste,” said.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B
