DILI, 14 november 2023 (TATOLI) – The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, has said that the Ministry will build three irrigation dams in Timor-Leste to improve food production.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, said that according to a recent study carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, three rivers have the potential to be transformed into agricultural dams, namely the Bee Lulik River in Ainaro, the Laclo River in Manatuto and the other unnamed river Manufahi River.
The study was carried out by the 8th government on several rivers in the country but only identified three rivers that were suitable for the construction of agricultural dams.
Minister Cruz said that the Ministry had completed the design for the construction of the three agricultural dams.
The initiative to build the dams aims to support local farmers to produce more agricultural crops as many abandoned land will have sufficient water for cultivation. This would allow Timor-Leste to reduce its dependence on rainfed agriculture and address the associated food insecurity.
Minister Cruz therefore said that these dams will help farmers to continue growing crops if they face a long drought in the future.
Building such farm dams is a crucial step for Timor-Leste’s small-scale farmers looking to secure a reliable water supply for irrigation, and other agricultural needs.
“The government will continue to carry out more studies to identify rivers with potential for the construction of agricultural dams,” he said.
These dams will allow Timor-Leste to increase its food production, contributing to both economic development and climate change adaptation.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
