MAF, UNTL and Australia sign agreement to develop agriculture and livestock in Timor-Leste
On June 18 the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), the National University of Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL) and the Government of Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop cattle-breeding in East Timor .
The Secretary of State for Agriculture and Arboriculture, Marcos da Cruz, said that "the Australian Government financially supports the project with the allocation of sixty thousand dollars given through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the National University of Timor Lorosa’e will develop the research with researchers from the MAP, the National Directorate of Research, UNTL, and also from ACIAR. The project will last for three years and will be developed at the Research Center and other places where livestock is practiced on a larger scale, such as in the District of Lautem."
The Ambassador of Australia, Miles Armitage, said this is a good project that will improve the quality of livestock products in the future in Timor-Leste.
The ceremony was attended by the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Arboriculture on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Ambassador of Australia to Timor-Leste, ACIAR representatives, the Dean of UNTL, National Directors and Heads of Departments.
