Maize in Liquica mountains harvested and drying. Photo: Samuel Bacon, SoL

Maize in Liquica mountains harvested and drying. Photo: Samuel Bacon, SoL

(Tetum)The rain continues to fall across the country although it is declining in a number of places such as Baucau, Covalima and Liquica. Other areas such as in Betano and Viqueque along the south coast received good rainfall.

It looks like the end of the wet season now especially for north coast locations such as Oecusse and Atauro which received very little rain again.

Many farmers have harvested their corn or are about to harvest it. Some good rains were received along the south coast during the first half of May and this may trigger some more planting of maize. Rice planting continues across many areas in Timor-Leste.

El Nino Crop Situation Report 20160415

(Tetum) Growing and selling Sele maize is a big money-maker for Naroman, a registered commercial seed producer in Bazartete that has earned over four thousand dollars in two years from selling their quality commercial seed.

In 2014, only their second year of planting Sele for commercial seed production, this 56-member group (28 women, 28 men) from Fatunesa hamlet, Fahilebo village, Bazartete sub-district of Liquica district have had fantastic results with this improved variety, harvesting over seven tonnes of seed from five hectares. (more…)

(Tetum) “The Hohrae 1, 2 & 3 sweet potato varieties are so tasty, whether they’re steamed or fried,” says Agusto Martins (48), chief of the Hakiak Buras sweet potato group in Liquica, “and the leaves are yummy because they taste just like kang kong.”

Agusto is chief of a 10-member group (5 women, 5 men) in Manumetalau hamlet, Manumeta village, Bazartete sub-district, Liquisa district that grows the three improved sweet potato varieties in a 60 x 25 m2 production plot. (more…)

(Tetum) Three community seed production groups (CSPGs) in Liquica have for the first time produced enough surplus seed of the improved maize variety Noi Mutin to share with vulnerable families in their district.

In only their second harvest season since forming in 2012, the three groups – Moris Foun, St. Antonio, and Balibau – shared more than 150 aqua bottles (1.3kg each) of Noi Mutin to over 80 households in Guico suco, Loes sub-district. (more…)