DILI, 31 august 2023 (TATOLI)- The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Forestry (MALLF), Marcos da Cruz, wishes to review the activities of 397 participants who have taken part in training at the Arava International Agricultural Training Center (AICAT) in Israel.
While from 2015 to 2022, the Timor-Leste Government, through bilateral cooperation with Israel has sent 397 young people to take part in the AICAT program in Israel.
“I wish to see what the training participants have done, don’t let the Government’s efforts be useless because currently, the agricultural sector has not made significant improvements, I will call all of them and ask them directly about their agriculture activities that they had conducted in Timor – Leste,” The Minister of MALLF Marcos da Cruz, told reporters at his office Comoro Dili, on thursday.
Da Cruz wants the training participants to be able to take the initiative to develop their initiatives in implementing the modern agricultural systems and that the Government will always be there to provide support, but not wait for everything from the central government.
AICAT alumni Pedro Xavier Brito explained that he and his friends had developed land in Viqueque, Rai -Tahu covering an area of 25 hectares with an income of $6,000 every year.
“In Viqueque we have developed horticulture, animal husbandry, agriculture, and reforestation, We have developed 25 hectares, and we grow many products from corn, beans, watermelon, and others according to the season,” he said.
He said that all previous AICAT participants were alumni from the Agricultural Engineering School (ETA – Escola Tecnica Agricola) in Timor-Leste such as ETA Fuiluro Lospalos, ETA Moleana Bobonaro, ETA Natarbora Manatuto, ETA Oecusse, there were several students from the Faculty of Agriculture at UNTL (National University of Timor Lorosa’e) and UNPAZ (Universidade da Paz).
“Many of us are currently working in various international institutions and some are agricultural instructors in the municipalities. For us, the obstacle we face is the lack of facilities such as tractors,” he concluded.
The Arava International Center for Agriculture Training (AICAT) was established in Sapir, in 1994 with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The center trains over 1,000 students annually from Academic Institutes from over 13 countries worldwide
The Center’s program is based on the principle of Learning by Doing. The winning combination of practical training on an advanced and modern farm, theoretical studies, professional guided tours of the area, and community life provides the students with a unique and rich experience.
Academic Impact The students return home with theoretical and practical skills crucial for their countries’
future food security.
while Economic Impact the graduates establish successful model farms and businesses. AICAT alumni integrate professionally in the public and private sectors helping their local economies.
The students become community leaders and agricultural mentors. They change their way of thinking from a traditional way to innovative “out of the box” thinking.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
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