President Ramos-Horta initiative boosts local food security as Beaco yields 65-ton rice harvest in Viqueque

DÍLI, 24 August 2026 (TATOLI) – The Civil Society Service and Social Affairs Unit (SSSAS), led by Coordinator Teresa dos Santos Ximenes, recently joined local leaders and farmers in Maluro, Beaco, to celebrate a successful rice harvest realized through presidential support.

The harvest marks a significant milestone for the agricultural program personally launched last year by President of the Republic Jose Ramos-Horta. Under this initiative, the community cultivated 13 hectares of paddy fields, achieving an impressive yield of up to 65 tons of rice at an average productivity of 5 tons per hectare.

The Coordinator of the local Farmers’ Group expressed profound gratitude to the Presidency of the Republic for the vital assistance that enabled this breakthrough harvest. The event, organized in partnership with the AMBX creative youth group, was attended by the President of the Viqueque Municipal Authority (PAM), municipal agriculture directors, PNDS representatives, and local community leaders.

This productive outcome stands as a testament to the Presidency’s commitment to rural development, showcasing how strong collaboration among state institutions, youth, and local communities can effectively enhance agricultural productivity and strengthen food security at the grassroots level.

TATOLI