Fish farmers celebrate tilapia harvest in Timor-Leste

The Partnership for Aquaculture Development in Timor-Leste (PADTL), a five-year project funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme, has played a crucial role in diversifying rural livelihoods in the country through the promotion of sustainable aquaculture.

On 23 August 2018, the project farmers celebrated their harvest of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT). A total of 253 farmers, who are organized in nine clusters in Ermera, Bobonaro and Baucau municipalities, successfully completed at least one production cycle of GIFT during 2017–18.

The celebration, which was held in Sucu Leohitu in Bobonaro municipality, was attended by farmer and government representatives, the private sector, I/NGOs and WorldFish staff.

Activities included sharing GIFT farming and farmers’ field school (FFS) experiences, and discussion on the way forward for the intensification of GIFT farming, harvesting and selling. Farmers who had completed FFS training sessions on better management practices (BMPs) in GIFT aquaculture were also presented with certificates.