(Tetum) November 25 saw MAF-SoL staff provide drip irrigation training to Moris Foun Community Seed Production Group, a women’s Community Seed Production Group (CSPG) in Tibar, Liquica District. The new drip irrigation system will assist the group to cultivate the three highly productive varieties of sweet potato (Hohrae 1, 2 and 3) officially released by MAF that are 65-130% higher yielding than local varieties. Hohrae 3 is also a notable source of Vitamin A.  Sweet potato cuttings have been planted this week to coincide with the beginning of the rainy season.

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© Alexia Skok/Seeds of Life

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© Alexia Skok/Seeds of Life

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© Alexia Skok/Seeds of Life

The new drip irrigation system will assist the group to cultivate the three highly productive varieties of sweet potato (Hohrae 1, 2 and 3) officially released by MAF that are 65-130% higher yielding than local varieties.

For many of Timor-Leste’s farmers, drip irrigation has the potential to provide an effective and, importantly, low cost method of watering crops. The new system will be especially beneficial during the dry season from May – November.

The first benefit of drip irrigation is the consistently equal distribution of water to each plant, aiding the growth of a vibrant and uniform crop. The second benefit is the labour and valuable time saved. The women in Tibar typically spend two to three hours a day watering their crops, and the time saved can now be put to good use.

During the hands-on training, group members learned how to install, use and maintain the drip irrigation.  Group members each had the opportunity to assemble and install the drip lines provided by MAF-SoL on a total of 5 beds. With their new-found skills, the group has since installed a further 7 beds with drip irrigation themselves.

Learn more about the group here: