DILI, 30 october 2023 (TATOLI) – The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), together with the Government of Timor-Leste inaugurated the Boluto irrigation in Manatuto municipality which was damaged by Cyclone Seroja on 04 april, 2021.
The Minister of Public Works, Samuel Marçal, thanked the Government of Japan for its support through the JICA project: “We hope that the rehabilitated irrigation will increase national food production not only rice, but also of other crops.”
“The rehabilitation of this irrigation will support the Government’s policy to reduce imported rice,” said Minister Marçal.
On april 4, 2021, the historic floods devastated the lives of many people, and damaged critical infrastructure, including the Boluto irrigation.
Japan’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Tetsuya Kimura, said that in response to a request from the Timorese government, Japan had rehabilitated the Boluto Irrigation to help local farmers increase their local food production.
The president of JICA, Akihiko Tanaka, said that in addition to the rehabilitation of the Boluto irrigation system, JICA has also supported Timor-Leste with a series of infrastructure projects, including the rehabilitation of the Comoro River, the water supply system, and the Maliana irrigation, and so on.
“JICA is committed to continue supporting the Timorese people by improving the quality of critical infrastructure throughout Timor-Leste. We hope this project will have a positive impact on people’s lives and contribute to the development of the country,” said Tanaka.
Boluto Irrigation located in Laleia Administrative Post, Manatuto Municipality was previously inaugurated in 2017 with a total budget of US$14 million supported by the Japanese government.
The rehabilitation of the Boluto irrigation will support the cultivation of 780 hectares of rice fields, stretching from Laleia in Manatuto to Vemasse in Baucau.
Journalist: Cidalia De Fatima
Editor: Armandina Moniz
Translation: José Belarmino De Sá
