MAP celebrates World Food Day
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) celebrated on October 16, the World Food Day. The day was celebrated under the theme "Reaffirming the commitment to raise the productivity and diversity of food" and the activities took place on October 20 and 21.
"An important day for us all, taking the opportunity to celebrate World Food Day and reflecting on the importance of food in the life of all mankind, as a right of every citizen in the world. This meeting represents part of the commemorative activities and your participation is an important asset regarding the importance that Timor-Leste gives to food. It also intends to look into the development of maize production, as a very common food product", said the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Arboriculture, Marcos da Costa, at the Hotel Timor.
"It must be recognized that the development of the agriculture sector, in particular the increase in corn production, depends on the contribution of each one of us in increasing the quantity and quality of production. Two important elements that are based on the nature of nutrition, so that the Comoro statement did not only spell out food security in the aspect of quantity but also in nutritional value for children and for all layers of society", said the Secretary of State.
This meeting included presentations by Prof. Claudio Nabais and Prof. Kim, concerning the development of varieties of grain to offset the consumption and demand of rice in Timor-Leste. There was also a presentation on the research results on white grain maize, type PO7, and the potential of this cereal in the market.
This year the celebration took place at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries with a presentation by Gil Rangel, Director of Agriculture and Horticulture. Other entities included in the interministerial team for food safety (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Social Solidarity, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries) made their speeches following the opening of the bazaar.
