On 23 January 2024, the Royal Thai Embassy in Dili carried out a project to promote the application of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) in Timor-Leste at Ediri Primary School in the Vatubou Village of Maubara, Liquica Province. It is the second phase of the project initiated   by the Embassy in September 2023 to collaborate with Mr. Salvador Ribeiro, a Timorese Agricultural Extension Officer who has a good knowledge of SEP, to help establish a school garden activity to support the school’s lunch program.

The second phase of the project aims to transfer knowledge about the application of SEP in agriculture to promote food security and good nutrition among students, and to provide a source of income for the community from selling surplus produce. Several activities will be conducted throughout 2024. The first activity on 23 January included a workshop by Mr. Salvador Ribeiro on SEP, food security and the importance of school’s health and nutrition program, to approximately 35 participants including parents, teachers and members of the community. To encourage the sense of ownership and ensure that the sustainability of the project, the participants were also given an opportunity to discuss the project’s way forward.

Mr. Cesar da Cruz, National Director of Food Security, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Mr. Atanasio Mota da C. Noronha, Chief of Health and School Garden Department, Ministry of Education, also attend the opening of this second phase of the project. As representatives of the Government of Timor-Leste, they acknowledged and appreciated Thailand’s initiative, especially the Embassy’s focus on engaging the school and the community in the decision-making and fostering their sense of ownership and commitment to the project. They also hope that the successful model of this project will be replicated in other schools in Timor-Leste.

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