DILI, 09 June 2026 (TATOLI) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Rural Development and Community Housing Mariano Assanami Sabino on June 8 launched the Community Revitalization Program in Manehalo village, Manelobas suco, Laulara administrative post, Aileu municipality, as part of government efforts to increase local production and improve living standards in rural communities.
During the launch ceremony, Sabino unveiled several infrastructure projects and economic initiatives designed to support rural development, including a poultry farming project, a water storage and distribution tank, public sanitation facilities, and agricultural areas equipped with greenhouses and modern irrigation systems.
Speaking at the event, the deputy prime minister said the government’s rural development programs are intended to strengthen local economies and urged beneficiary groups to manage the projects with commitment and responsibility.
“The objective of these initiatives is to increase agricultural and livestock production, strengthen household incomes, and ensure a stable supply of products for local and national markets,” Sabino said.
He also stressed the importance of expanding the production of nutritious food to help address child malnutrition, noting that official data indicate that about 47 percent of Timorese children suffer from malnutrition-related conditions.
“We need the participation of the entire community to produce more healthy food, both for household consumption and to support school feeding programs,” he said.
Sabino further called for greater social harmony and mutual respect within communities, encouraging young people to focus on building a better future and to avoid family and community conflicts.
According to data from the Ministry of Rural Development and Community Housing (MDRHC), the Community Revitalization Program will cover 20 villages across Aileu municipality between 2024 and 2026, with an investment of more than US$180,000.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader rural development strategy aimed at increasing local production, improving living conditions, and reducing poverty in remote areas located far from major urban centers.
TATOLI
