The Japanese government, through its Timor-Leste embassy, has donated $14 million to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for an irrigation project to connect Lalleia and Vemasse sub-districts in Baucau.
Agriculture and Fisheries minister Mariano Asanami Sabino said he tender process for the project was complete.
The modern irrigation system would stand the test of time, he said.
He said construction was scheduled to start at the end of 2014 for a projected completion date in 2015.
Member of Parliament Virgilio Hornai gave his thanks to the Japanese government for its commitment to repairing irrigation systems in order to increase the nation’s rice production.
The project will be controlled by the Japanese embassy.
Resident Marizinha da Silva said rice production in the country had been very low but she hopes they will increase through this project so Timor-Leste would be able to stop its reliance on rice imports p.
“Most of the rice we eat is imported.”
