Food security is one of the programs of Jesuit Social Service (JSS) aimed at supporting local communities in Timor-Leste by teaching them proper methods to grow vegetables and produce vitamins from the crops they plant. This supports local families in having healthy food.
In 2023, one local family in Malame, Hoholau village in Aileu municipality, near Railaco, was given the opportunity to participate in a food security training. Maun Francisco Riveiro took part in this program to learn new methods that helped him produce healthy vegetables.
As Francisco shared his experience after two years of support from the JSS Food Security Program, he said, “The JSS program is different from others. The food security methods really helped my family and me produce healthy vegetables, and we received various kinds of vegetable seeds.”
“I am so thrilled to have had the opportunity to learn about this new method. Now I don’t just plant one vegetable, but many. Before, we only had one seed, which was mustard. After JSS and the food security program provided the seeds, I can now sell them at the market and also eat them,” Francisco stated.
One realization Francisco had was that his family now consumes healthy vegetables, thanks to the specific methods taught during the formation and training, and the continued support they received while planting the vegetables.
According to him, the method that Maun Cornelio, a member of the Food Security Team, taught them is as follows: “Since JSS helped us and Maun Cornelio accompanied us, here is the process to produce healthy vegetables: first, we need to have seeds and prepare them to plant in one place. Then, we put them on a raised bed (locally known as hadak). After that, we prepare the soil (called kantaderu). Based on the training, we must measure the soil to ensure it is correct and compact. This step helps the vegetables grow well. After preparing the kantaderu, we produce organic fertilizer for the vegetables.” Once everything is ready, they also prepare a reservoir to store water for irrigation, which can also be used to produce natural fertilizer, with some fish kept inside.
Through this process, not only did Francisco and his family produce healthy vegetables, but they also maintained the natural quality of the soil and were able to sell more vegetables than before. The vegetables he now grows include broccoli, cauliflower, mustard, pak-choi, Morakot (Thai green okra), and eggplant.
Francisco and his family are deeply grateful to JSS, especially to Maun Cornelio and the Food Security team, for providing them with the training and support. “I am very thankful for this opportunity. This program is truly helpful. I hope that in the future, other families and local communities will have the same opportunity. I have also shared this method with some of my neighbors and friends who work in agriculture, and I can see that they, too, have achieved good results and are producing healthy vegetables since 2024.”
The food security program has been successful in supporting local families in Timor-Leste, especially those in and near Railaco. Thanks to the JSS team for sharing knowledge and supporting Francisco and many other beneficiaries in growing healthy vegetables while maintaining the health of the soil.
By: Iriana Soares, ETR Communications Officer
Source: Francisco Riveiro and JSS