Government of Timor-Leste

On December 29^th, 2025, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão inaugurated a set of ten irrigation projects in the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cússe Ambeno (RAEOA) at a ceremony held at the Aenmat Tractor Maintenance Centre in the Lalisuk village (Suco) of the Pante Makasar subregion. 

In addition to irrigation projects, water drilling systems for horticulture, a water supply system for an animal production centre, protective walls for fishing docks, sediment removal from the Tono dam, and the expansion of infrastructure to support tractor operations in Aenmat were also inaugurated. Together, the projects represent a total investment of approximately US$455,900.

During the ceremony, the Prime Minister expressed his expectation that these investments would increase agricultural production in the region and reduce dependence on imports, emphasising their direct impact on the local economy.

The Head of the Government also highlighted the execution of the works by local companies, noting that the participation of Timorese in the implementation of these projects reflects the process of nation-building and the strengthening of internal capacities.

On the same occasion, the President of the RAEOA Authority, Régio da Cruz Salu, expressed his satisfaction with the inauguration of the works, highlighting the quality of the work carried out and its potential to support agricultural development in Oé-Cusse.

The projects now inaugurated ensure a regular water supply to around 300 hectares of agricultural land, directly benefiting 743 households. The expansion of cultivated areas in RAEOA contributes to increased agricultural productivity, particularly in rice production, reduces dependence on rainwater, and strengthens the resilience of the local agricultural sector.

Regional leaders and farmers from the region, who are directly involved in implementing and benefiting from these projects for local communities, attended the ceremony.