(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…)
(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. (more…)
(Tetum) Over 150 MAF-SoL staff from five districts participated in gender workshops over the last month as part of Seeds of Life’s work to ensure gender equality across its activities.
The Gender Team held workshops with 29 women and 127 men in Oecusse, Lautem, Manatuto, Dili and Aileu to help raise awareness of gender issues at the district level. (more…)
In mid-2013, Seeds of Life conducted a mid-term survey to assess what progress had been made in the first two and a half years of the current phase of the program.
This survey — which was conducted in 55 sucos across the 13 districts, with visits to 672 households — showed that on average 25% of the crop farmers in Timor-Leste grow one or more improved varieties of a foodcrop. (more…)
