On January 9^th and 10^th, 2026, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão inaugurated two irrigation system projects in Laivai, in the municipality of Lautém, and in Galata, in the municipality of Baucau, as well as the rehabilitation of the Caravela–Caicido–Baucau Airport road, as part of infrastructure investments to support agricultural production and local mobility.

In Laivai, the irrigation system inaugurated on January 9^th will supply water to 500 hectares of rice paddies in the Ililai and Euquisi villages of the Lautém Administrative Post. The project is part of the 9th Constitutional Government’s policy to modernise agriculture and increase national rice production.

During the ceremony, the Prime Minister emphasised the project’s importance in increasing food production and reducing rice imports and called on farmers to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the system.

On the same occasion, agricultural equipment, including tractors and rice planting and harvesting machines, was also delivered to farmers to enhance mechanisation and support increased productivity in the beneficiary areas. The Laivai project cost US$9.36 million.

Melio de Jesus, President of the Lautém Municipal Authority, welcomed the Government’s success in establishing conditions for the population of Lautém, particularly in these two villages (Sucos), enabling hundreds of hectares of fields abandoned 20 years ago to be reactivated, thereby increasing rice production in the future.

In Galata, Uato-Haco Village, Venilale Administrative Post, on January 10^th, the Prime Minister inaugurated an irrigation system designed to benefit 720 hectares of rice fields across four administrative posts in the municipality of Baucau, including the Ossu Administrative Post in the municipality of Viqueque. During the inauguration, the Prime Minister reiterated the need for joint work and the preservation of infrastructure. The project is valued at US$14 million.

Also in Baucau, on January 10^th, the Prime Minister inaugurated the rehabilitation of the Caravela–Caicido–Baucau Airport road, approximately eight kilometres long, and called on the authorities and the population to monitor its maintenance. The project, financed by the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investment through the Infrastructure Fund at a cost of around US$6 million, was supervised and monitored by ADN, IP.

The inaugurations in Lautém and Baucau are part of efforts to strengthen basic infrastructure to support agricultural production and improve mobility, with the participation of members of the Government, municipal and local authorities, institutional representatives, and beneficiary communities.