DILI, 26 april 2024 (TATOLI) – Anita Hirsch, the Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at WFP visited a local rice fortification mill and a school in Maliana, both part of the WFP’s School Meal Program and Rice Fortification initiative.
The Rice Miller showed her the rice fortification process and discussed the opportunities and challenges regarding the local fortified rice value chains for the schools.
Hirsch said: “our collaboration with the Government of Timor-Leste in productive value chains aims to strengthen the National School Feeding Program by supporting local rice millers production capacity to strengthen the supply chain and introduce fortified rice to schools.”
Later at a school meal distribution event, Hirsch saw the EBC 123 Raifu school´s current and future kitchen construction site and participated in a group discussion with school management, cooks, teachers, and farmer and community representatives and learned about their expectations of the Program’s benefits towards better cooking and hygiene practices, their children´s nutrition and how to close the gap between farmers and the schools.
The improved kitchen construction and equipment will help prepare fortified and nutritious food safely and hygienically, for the well-being of the students and effectiveness of the School Feeding Program.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
