Farm Families Take Control of Horticulture Assets

May 29, 2012

Farm Families Take Control of Horticulture Assets

USAID's intensive horticulture project transferred control of newly constructed plastic tunnels on May 29 to enable farmers to produce high-value vegetables year round. US Ambassador Judith Fergin, USAID Mission Director Rick Scott and USAID Program Officer Melissa Francis attended the ceremony, along with Clarence Lim, owner of Kmanek Supermarket, the private-sector partner who plays a key role in the successful value chain set up by the project. Kmanek helps farmers import the high-quality seeds they need and makes daily pickups of their produce to sell to restaurants and consumers two hours away in the capital, Dili. Farmers told visitors at the tunnel handover that the project had improved their lives, and the village head spoke of how the project had transformed the community, increasing incomes and enabling families to improve their homes and send their children to school.