A delegation from the Ministry of State Administration, led by the Secretary of State for Local Development, Mateus W. dos Santos Tallo, made a working visit to Hunan province, China, from October 7 to 11, 2024, at the invitation of the Governor of this Chinese province, Mao Weiming. The delegation also made up of the presidents of the Municipal Authorities of Ainaro, Baucau, Covalima, Manatuto, Manufahi and Viqueque, aimed to strengthen cooperation in the agricultural sector and explore new development opportunities for Timor-Leste’s municipalities. 

The five-day visit aimed not only to strengthen the cooperation agreement that has existed for more than ten years between the province of Hunan and the municipality of Manatuto but also to pave the way for the exchange of knowledge and experiences with other Timorese municipalities to promote an increase in agricultural production and contribute to the country’s sustainable economic development. 

 After paying homage on the first day at Mao Zedong’s former residence and the monument in his honour, the delegation dedicated the second day to a visit to the Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, a renowned international centre accredited by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). During this visit, the delegation members were able to see the modern technological facilities and the hybrid rice research centre, where they could follow all the stages of rice cultivation and processing up close.  

On the third day, the delegation visited the Vegetable Production Centre and Cooperative, where advanced equipment was demonstrated for protecting and cultivating vegetables and fruit. The delegation also visited a local hamlet to examine the integration of agricultural development with tourism and cultural initiatives. They witnessed a mechanised rice harvesting process, with technology that allows 39,960 m² of rice to be harvested in just ten minutes. 

 The agenda for the fourth day included a visit to Zoomlion, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of agricultural and construction machinery. During the visit, the delegation followed the manufacturing process of equipment such as tractors and harvesters and highlighted the importance of using advanced technology to modernise the national agricultural sector. On the same day, the delegation was welcomed by the Governor of Hunan, Mao Weiming, with whom they shared experiences on the development of modern agriculture and rural revitalisation, reinforcing the commitment to strengthen cooperation between Hunan and Timor-Leste. 

On the last day of the visit, the delegation visited the Guansan Laboratory, where they saw the seed exhibition hall and discussed the possibility of establishing a similar laboratory in Timor-Leste for analysing, storing and exporting seeds.