More than 100 stakeholders have gathered at the second National Aquaculture Forum in Dili, Timor-Leste, to discuss ways to continue developing the country’s growing aquaculture sector.
The event supports the Timor-Leste National Aquaculture Development Strategy (2012–2030), which aims to increase fish production to 12,000 tonnes per year by 2030 and reduce malnutrition by increasing fish consumption over the same period.
H. E. Eng. Joáquim José Gusmão dos Reis Martins, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Timor-Leste, said, “Developing aquaculture is a key priority for the government of Timor-Leste. Increasing the production of fish will ensure that rural households have greater access to an affordable, nutritious source of animal protein and have an alternative livelihood option.”
The forum, held at the Timor Plaza Hotel, is organised by the Partnership for Aquaculture Development in Timor-Leste project funded by New Zealand Aid and managed by the CGIAR Research Program on Fish Agri-Food Systems led by WorldFish in partnership with the Timor-Leste government.
The forum brings together more than 100 participants from diverse backgrounds, including government, trade and investment, commercial banks, academics, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, development agencies, farmers and fishers. The forum, which will be held annually from 2020, follows the country’s first in 2017.
