Laivai, Friday, 9 January 2026
The Ninth Constitutional Government, led by His Excellency the Prime Minister of the RDTL, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, today, together with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Forestry and the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, members of the Government, members of the National Parliament, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL), Lieutenant General and retired Lieutenant General, officially inaugurated the Laivai Irrigation Scheme, located in Taleta Village, Ililai Suco, Lautém Administrative Post, Lautém Municipality.
The construction project of the Laivai Irrigation Scheme is implemented by Jenetbi Gumer, Lda (JV) in partnership with PT Wahana ADYA Indonesia and CICO China, with a total budget of USD 9,361,964.36.
In his remarks, His Excellency the President of the Lautém Municipal Authority, Mr. Mélio de Jesus, SH, on behalf of the people of Lautém Municipality, expressed his gratitude to the Ninth Constitutional Government led by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, particularly to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Forestry and the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, for prioritising the construction of the Laivai Irrigation Scheme in Ililai Suco.
He stated that the Laivai Irrigation Scheme will supply water to nearly 500 hectares of rice fields, which had been abandoned for many years due to the lack of an irrigation system. He further explained that there are currently 61 traditional irrigation systems used by communities only during the rainy season, and that the Government has now invested in two modern irrigation systems, namely Laivai Irrigation and Irabere Irrigation, which will significantly increase agricultural production.
The highest authority in Lautém Municipality encouraged Administrative Post, Suco and Aldeia authorities to continue motivating communities to return to farming, cultivate rice, and increase food production in the municipality. He also urged the communities of Ililai Suco to take responsibility for the protection and maintenance of the irrigation infrastructure and its equipment, ensuring its long-term sustainability.
On the same occasion, His Excellency Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão called on Administrative Post, Suco and Aldeia authorities to recognise that the Laivai Irrigation Scheme is now under the full responsibility of the local communities. The Prime Minister encouraged the people to utilise the irrigation water to cultivate rice and boost food production in their villages and sucos.
During the inauguration ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Forestry also handed over agricultural mechanisation equipment, including:
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2 units of Kubota Medium Tractor L5018
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2 Rotary units
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1 Animal-drawn plough
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1 Rice Transplanter Machine
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Nursery racks/trays with a capacity of 600 seedlings
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2 Rice Milling Machines
These tools aim to support farmer groups in improving efficiency and increasing agricultural output.
Following the inauguration of the Laivai Irrigation Scheme, His Excellency the Prime Minister, accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Chief of the General Staff of F-FDTL Lieutenant General Domingos Raúl Falur Rate Laek, and Retired Lieutenant General Lere Anan Timur (LAT), carried out a ceremonial rice field planting in the Laivai area.
End.