Prior to implementing a community garden pilot project in Ermera District, the health NGO Hamutuk Ita Ajuda Malu (HIAM Health) conducted a workshop in the community to listen to the ideas and suggestions from local leaders and agricultural extension agents.
HIAM Health (HH) Director Rosaria Martins da Cruz said the participation of village leaders and the extension agents was very important so the program can be benefit for the communities and contribute the prevention of malnutrition.
“We should cooperate with them to improve the nutrition rates and improve living standards in the community through the implementation of the community garden project,” said HH Director da Cruz in Ermera.
As the implementer of the project she said HH is ready to support the community with training and with equipment including also with seeds for the groups.
During the workshop the Director also called on the village leaders to organize the groups and to identify available and undisputed land with access to water so the program can benefit all the groups.
The pilot project is supported by Sunrise Joint Venture with funds amounting to USD$120,000 for one year which will benefit 12 groups in Ermera district.
She added the same program is being implemented in seven districts: Liquisa, Ermera, Manatuto, Baucau, Viqueque, Aileu and Dili benefiting 31 groups.
She said some groups have been more successful than others during the implementation of the project.
Meanwhile village chief of Lemia Leten Jose Araujo thanked HH for choosing Ermera district to conduct the pilot project and he said his community is ready to support the program because it can improve family nutrition and contribute towards the economy sustainability of families.
“But who will buy the products because the community produces many crops but then it goes to waste,” said Village Chief Araujo.
The village leaders also called on HH to support the extension agents and to educate the community so they can protect the children from malnutrition.
The Manager of Farm Pro Lda Company Peter Dougan said he is ready to cooperate with horticulture groups to distribute what they product to the supermarkets.
“Now I’m working with you in Ermera. In August I will buy a car so that I can help you distribute your products to markets in the capital.”
