Government Marks World Food Day, Focusing on Innovation and Food and Nutrition Security
On October 16th, 2026, the Government marked World Food Day at a ceremony in Dili, organised by the National Council for Food and Nutrition Security and Sovereignty of Timor-Leste (CONSSAN-TL) in collaboration with relevant ministries, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and development partners. The celebration highlighted investment in innovation, increased and diversified local food production, and improvements in food and nutrition security.
The Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, and President of CONSSAN-TL, Mariano Assanami Sabino, chaired the ceremony. The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz; the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste, Funmi Balogun; and representatives of public institutions, international organisations, development partners, farmers, and communities also attended.
Under the global theme “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow” and the national theme “Investing in Innovation to Ensure Food and Nutrition Security”, celebrations focused on identifying solutions to increase local food production, improve dietary quality, and facilitate families’ access to a diverse range of nutritious foods.
CONSSAN-TL is the interministerial body responsible for coordinating the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of public policies on food and nutrition security and sovereignty.
In his address, Mariano Assanami Sabino highlighted the challenges Timor-Leste continues to face in relation to agricultural productivity, the effects of climate change, post-harvest losses, the diversity of available food, and producers’ access to technology and markets.
The Vice Prime Minister called for investment in quality seeds, efficient irrigation systems, appropriate technologies, scientific research, and technical training for producers. He emphasised the need to improve rural extension services and to develop infrastructure for storing and processing agricultural products. He also highlighted the importance of facilitating access to financing, knowledge, and market opportunities for farmers, fishers, women, and young people.
Mariano Assanami Sabino further stressed that innovation should integrate traditional community knowledge with new technologies and sustainable practices to increase productivity, protect natural resources, and strengthen the capacity to respond to the effects of climate change.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz, emphasised that innovation is not limited to adopting new technologies or equipment. It also involves improving cultivation techniques, livestock rearing, fisheries and aquaculture, water and soil management, local product storage and processing, and links between producers and markets.
The Minister also emphasised the need to reduce post-harvest losses and to promote solutions tailored to the needs of farmers, livestock breeders, and fishers. These solutions should combine local knowledge, good practices developed within communities, and applied research.
The celebrations included a National Fair held on October 15th and 16th, featuring participation from farmers across several municipalities, public institutions, United Nations agencies, and development partners. The exhibition showcased agricultural products, traditional foods, and food-processing initiatives, highlighting the diversity of national production.
The programme also included the launch of the World Food Forum Youth Chapter in Timor-Leste and panel discussions on food production, investment, and nutrition, including a dedicated session on innovation in local food production and market access.
World Food Day is celebrated annually on October 16th, marking the FAO's founding in 1945. In Timor-Leste, the 2026 celebrations were part of CONSSAN-TL’s initiatives to promote coordination among public institutions, municipalities, producers, and development partners on food and nutrition security.
