DILI, 11 November 2025 (TATOLI) – The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MALFF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to promote the use of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in fish farming as a sustainable way to improve nutrition in Timor-Leste.
The MoU was signed by the CRS Country Director, Yane Tamonob Pinto, and the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, during a ceremony held at the MALFF Hall in Kampung Merdeka, Comoro, Dili.
CRS Country Director Yane Tamonob Pinto said the organization has supported 20 fish-farming households in Ossu, Viqueque Municipality, by developing the use of black soldier fly larvae as fish feed — with promising results.
“We have implemented black soldier fly larvae to feed the fish in Ossu, Viqueque, and it shows good results. Therefore, we want to work together with MALFF to produce more black soldier fly larvae as an alternative fish feed in Timor-Leste,” said Pinto, speaking to reporters at the MALFF office in Kampung Merdeka, Dili.
She explained that the project breeds black soldier flies as part of an innovative pilot program aimed at increasing fish productivity through sustainable, locally-produced feed.
“Once considered pests, these insects are now key to advancing fish farming and improving nutrition. Farmers attract and breed the fly’s larvae using food waste, turning them into nutrient-rich fish feed. This eco-friendly solution boosts fish production and builds climate resilience, improving farmers’ livelihoods,” she said.
At the same event, the Secretary of State for Fisheries, Domingos da Conceição dos Santos, commended CRS for its initiative and expressed optimism that the program would help reduce the high cost of commercial fish feed in the country.
“On behalf of the Government, through MALFF, I thank CRS for implementing this program using black soldier fly larvae to feed fish. The MoU will be valid for one year and implemented in Viqueque Municipality, Ossu. Hopefully, CRS and MALFF will work together to ensure better nutrition and reduce the cost of fish feed in Timor-Leste,” he said.
The Aquaculture Fish Feed Study, funded by the Shah Family Innovation Lab at Purdue University and implemented by Catholic Relief Services, aims to increase fish production through alternative and locally-produced feeding methods.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
