The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry (MAPPF), through the National Directorate of Research and Statistics, in partnership with Udayana University (UNUD) in Bali, Indonesia, will conduct research across six (6) municipalities to identify land with potential for food crop cultivation.
“We have started taking soil samples in six municipalities – Lautem, Liquiçá, Dili, Aileu, Manatuto and Oecusse – to complete the total of seven municipalities already surveyed previously,” said Cesar José da Cruz, National Director of Research and Statistics, during a meeting at MAPPF in Comoro, Dili.
He explained that the purpose of the land mapping activity is to understand the types of soil present in each municipality, which will then inform MAPPF’s future planning based on this data.
He added that the research aims to identify the land’s agricultural potential and soil fertility to begin cultivating crops that are best suited to each area.
He noted that although the research focuses on land potential, MAPPF is also going to include data collection on livestock and fisheries, as the soil survey will also provide insight into areas with potential for fisheries and animal husbandry.
“The results of this soil mapping will be published in a publication written in Portuguese, English and Bahasa Indonesia so that anyone interested can access it and understand the fertility of different soils. The book will serve as a kind of manual to be used by the Ministry and our partner agencies to guide public awareness on how to grow more nutritious food crops,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ni Made Trigunasih, Head of Research from Udayana University, said the study serves as an assessment of land suitability and area mapping for the development of agricultural commodities in Timor-Leste.
“Last year, Udayana University partnered with MAPPF to conduct a soil survey, and this year we will continue with the next stage of the research, which will also include the fisheries and livestock sectors,” researcher Trigunasih said.
Trigunasih explained that the research is important for identifying different types of soil using field sampling. The research team will carry out observations to determine soil types by analysing soil profiles, including levels of saturation, pH, organic matter, structure, and colour – all of which determine the suitability of the soil.“We will deploy a team to assess land suitability for agricultural crops through field observation, conduct direct interviews with local communities, and inspect what crops are currently grown in the area. We will also investigate crops that have economic value for Timor-Leste, including traditional crops cultivated by previous generations. From these, we will determine chemical and physical parameters and conduct lab testing once data is collected,” Trigunasih explained.
