Thirty-four groups have benefited from the USAID-funded Advance Agriculture program since it was implemented eight months ago.
The beneficiaries include groups from Bobonaro, Ermera, Ainaro, Aileu and Dili.
Chief of Party USAID Contractor Nicholas Richards said this program would focus on improving women’s participation in the sector, particularly in terms of increasing women’s understanding of business management.
“We are currently working with 34 groups in five municipalities and there are six groups that have signed a MoU with stores in Timor,” said Richard at a Breakfast Club Forum for journalists at the USAID office in Hudi Laran, Dili.
He said groups received basic training in how to run their business and ensure its sustainability.
USAID also facilitated cooperation between supermarkets and producer groups.
He added, the program would increase rural women’s participation in the agriculture and business sectors and help them to improve their economic position.
Richards said USAID also planned to profile women in agriculture in an upcoming publication to highlight how the program had benefited family finances.
The USAID Advance Agriculture project will work with 250 groups in five municipalities over the next five years.
Member of Commission D (responsible for economic development) MP Brigida Correia said many women were involved in the agriculture and horticulture sectors, but their production levels were not sustainable as they were dependent on rainwater for irrigation.
“Sustainability means that after harvesting the product we should think about planting other products, but this does not happen,” she said.
Through the support of USAID, she said it was very important to encourage young people to become more involved in the sector.
However, she acknowledged that poor infrastructure remained a significant obstacle to producers accessing markets.
