DILI, 27 january 2026 (TATOLI) – The Ministry of Education and the Government of Japan have signed a new cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening agricultural technical education in Timor-Leste.
The agreement was signed on 27 january 2026 in Dili and focuses on improving the quality of Technical-Vocational Secondary Education in agricultural schools in the municipalities of Baucau and Lautém.
The project, titled “Capacity Building Project for Agricultural Technical Training Schools in Eastern Timor-Leste,” seeks to modernise agricultural training by upgrading infrastructure, introducing science laboratories, and providing management and business training for teachers and students.
This project aims to provide space for trainers, teachers, and students and contribute to developing human resources that will play active roles in the agricultural sector. This project will practice soil analysis in basic laboratories, produce agricultural materials (soil improvement materials) from local and natural materials, and conduct outreach activities to farmers.
In addition, the project will also provide training on business management from production practices to distribution of agricultural material and support them to design agricultural business ideas.
In the first year of the two-year project running from 2026 to 2028, the project will work together with the Community Development Center (CDC) Baucau.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Japan’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Yamamoto Yasushi, said the initiative reflects Japan’s commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector.
He said the project aims to change perceptions of agriculture, promoting it as a modern and respected profession that contributes to national economic growth.
The initiative is aligned with Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan 2011–2030.
Representing the Minister of Education and the Secretary of State for General Secondary Education and Technical-Vocational Secondary Education, the Director-General for Secondary Education, Deolindo da Cruz, said the project would equip students with scientific and practical skills. He added that the programme is expected to strengthen food security in local communities.
The two-year project, with a budget of approximately US$340,000, is fully funded by the Japanese government. It will be implemented by PARCIC in Baucau and Fuiloro and is expected to benefit around 22,000 people through the introduction of agricultural techniques that make use of local resources.
The ceremony was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, the President of the Baucau Municipal Authority, and senior officials from the Ministry of Education.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
