In an effort to enhance the bilateral relationship between two farming countries, Timor-Leste and China, the Government of Sichuan Province offered thirty tractors and ten vans for transportation of agricultural products, contributing to the development of the agriculture sector in Timor-Leste.

This action is the final step of a process that started with the commitment from the local government of Sichuan Province in China, made in October 2009, during the visit of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão to the territory.

The hand over ceremony was held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Comoro, Díli, joining the Minister Mariano Sabino Assanami and China’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Fu Yuancong.

At the end of the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries said that “such aid through agricultural equipment responds to the needs felt by Timorese farmers for transport of seeds, fertilizers and other products to meet the needs of the community and the Agriculture Ministry “.

Mariano Sabino added that ‘the tractors are designed to support free sites that use the plow to turn the soil. This assistance will support the services offered by the Government through tractors and vehicles and they will be delivered to the Bureau of Agriculture and Horticulture ‘.

The Minister also focus on future support that is perceived to be targeting seeds and fertilizer but not chemical fertilizers oriented, because only the organic fertilizers tend to turn the soil into arable land. Apart from representing the employees of the Ministry of Agriculture, Minister Mariano Sabino also expressed appreciation to the Chinese Government on behalf of Timorese farmers for “the kind gesture of China’s agricultural community”.