(Tetum) “I am happy,” says Filomeno da Cruz (55), a cassava farmer living in Camlor, suco Luca, Viqueque district, “I’ve planted cassava for just six months, but I’ve felt the benefits already.”
Filomeno da Cruz became involved in seed production in July last year as a contract grower for the Ai-luka 2 and Ai-luka 4 cassava varieties released in 2009 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and Seeds of Life (SoL). (more…)
(Tetum) “I am really happy to be involved in seed production with Seeds of Life, because since we started that my life has become better than before,” said Anina de Jesus, a peanut farmer living in Ritabou village, Maliana sub-district, Bobonaro district.
Anina is chief of the six-member contract grower group ‘Aselsam’ that produces certified seed of Utamua, the improved peanut variety released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and sells it to MAF for use by other seed producers.
Since Anina first began planting the improved variety in 2008 she has had many positive changes in her life. (more…)
(Tetum) Thursday 6 March 2014 saw the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality (SEPI) host International Women’s Day 2014; Inspiring Change in Women’s Health, Food, Nutrition and Wellbeing in Timor-Leste. Development partners from across Timor-Leste came together to celebrate women and promote inspiring change in women’s, men’s and children’s health, food, nutrition and wellbeing. Notably, Seeds of Life, Empreza Di’ak, Marie Stopes Int., Movimentu Feto Foin sae Timor-Leste, PRADET, Feto iha Kbiit Servisu hamutuk (FKSH), Asisténsia Legál ba Feto no Labarik (ALFeLa), Timor-Leste Police Development Program, ChildFund, HIAM-Health, Alola, Bellekria, CARE Int., Fokupers, Casa Vida and Zumba Dili collaborated on the day’s activities, while the 150 – 200 guests came from far and wide to attend. (more…)
(Tetum) Martinha da Costa Boavida is chief of ‘Moris Foun’ community seed production group (CSPG) in aldeia Bahamori, suco Ostico, Baucau district.
Martinha has successfully led the group of 26 members – 18 male and 8 female – since 2006 in planting sweet potato varieties Hohrae 1, Hohrae 2, and Hohrae 3, released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Seeds of Life. The group members own their own plots, and come together to collectively plant, water, weed and harvest. (more…)
