DILI, 27 February 2025 (TATOLI) – The Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved nearly US$17 million for the construction of the Maukola-Lomea irrigation project in Beco Village, the Suai Administrative Post, Covalima municipality.
The project bill was presented by Marcos da Cruz, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry.
Minister Cruz said that the irrigation project would help Covalima’s farmers increase agricultural production, including rice and other crops.
The irrigation had been abandoned since Indonesi’s occupation of East Timor-Leste.
This project is expected to provide sufficient water for 2,300 rice farmers in Beco village. It ould help increase rice production and thus enhance food security for the village.
In addition to the Maukola-Lomea irrigation system, Covalima has another irrigation system that supply water for the cultivation of 2,260 hectares of rice paddies.
TATOLI
