Government Hands Over Agricultural Equipment to the Municipalities of Bobonaro, Ainaro and Covalima
Today, August 15th 2024, the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, presided over the official ceremony to hand over agricultural equipment to the municipalities of Bobonaro, Ainaro and Covalima. The initiative aims to strengthen agricultural production capacity in these municipalities, contributing to increased the productivity and development of the country’s agricultural sector.
During the ceremony, the Prime Minister expressed his confidence in the positive impact that the new equipment will have on local farmers. “with this advance equipment, acquired by the Government with the support of the World Bank, we are taking an important step towards improving the productive capacity of our farmers and thus promoting the sustainanble development of our rural communities”, said Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, stressed that the acquisition of this equipment is part of the Government’s ongoing effort to modernise the agricultural sector”. This is an important milestone in our mission to support farmers. With the introduction of modern machinery, such as tractors, cultivation machines and planting machines, we are reducing labour time in the fields and increasing the efficiency of agricultural operations”, stressed the Minister.
The equipment, which includes 38 hand tractors, 103 planting machines and 23 cultivation machines, was purchased through the Sustainable Agricultural Productivity Improvement Project (SAPIP), financed by the World Bank, this project began in 2016, initially benefiting seven municipalities. Today’s delivery marks the expansion of this support to the municipalities of Bobonaro, Ainaro and Covalima.
This is the first phase of distribution. Another four municipalities will also receive their equipment soon. We are coordinating closely with the municipal authorities to ensure that the equipment reaches the farmers who need it most”, added Marcos da Cruz.
The event was also attended by the Vice Prime Minister, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, and other members of the 9th Constitutional Government, the President of RAEOA Authority, Rogério Tiago Lobato, the coordinator of the ZEEDOA Executive Committee, João Mendes Gonçalves, representatives of the World Bank and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry.
