Two farmer’s groups in Aileu have been applying the Farmer Management Natural Regeneration (FMNR) system to protect and regenerate their crops.
Head of Fahiria village, Luis Naimao, said the FMNR system assists farmers to regenerate crops and plants that have been cut down.
“Rather than us wasting our efforts growing new plants, we can just regenerate the plants that we have cut,” village chief Naimao said.
He said Fahiria village has 25 farmers divided into two groups, one group of 12 farmers and another of 13. Both groups are currently using the FMNR system.
“The FMNR system brings good results that reduce deforestation because they have learnt to use the FMNR system to regenerate the plants,” Naimao said.
Farmer Manuel da Silva said the FMNR program was supported by World Vision that has also offered equipment to help farmers implement the program.
“World Vision gave us shears, saws, hoes and machetes,” farmer da Silva said.
Da Silva said through using the FMNR system, deforestation can be prevented and in this way they are also protecting existing plants from fire by watering and making fences.
“We have to dress the soil around and all over the plants and then keep watch,” he said.
The director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery in Aileu, Galiene Gailus agreed to collaborate with World Vision in the implementation of the FMNR system in Aileu.
“This program has positive steps and was valuable for the farmers,” said Director Gailus.
