Dili, June 13, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The government, through the Secretary of State for Cooperatives (SEKoop), facilitated a two-day training for cooperative groups on processing Bafo Kayarala into various food products. The activity was held in the Esperansa Elemloi Delta Hall, on Thursday.
In an interview, the Secretary of State for Cooperatives, Arsénio Pereira da Silva, stated that this program is part of the 2025 Annual Action Plan, which emphasizes the transformation of raw products like Bafo Kayarala into final products. Cooperative movements will produce and process these products to bring them to market. The cooperative groups that participated in this training are engaged in activities close to cafeteria services.
“These potential women are being prepared to supply local products to government institutions. They are learning how to process local products into various food forms within the country. This is part of a government program known as an agricultural commune that can supply school meals. Since the school meals program is a guaranteed market and requires nutritious food, we are transforming local produce into nutritious food for children’s consumption to support physical development and good cognitive growth, so they can study well,” said Secretary of State for Cooperatives, Arsénio Pereira da Silva.
He explained that Bafo Kayarala is cultivated in the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA), Liquiçá, Covalima, and Ermera. However, promotional efforts for this group have not been made before. The National Directorate for Product and Cooperative Promotion processed the product into sweets, chocolate, syrup, and more. These products were then promoted among children, who were asked to taste and provide feedback. Most of the children liked the products such as syrup, sweet bread, and others.
“Recently, SEKoop organized promotional events at the Dili port, where sweets and other products made from Bafo Kayarala were offered to visitors for free or sold for revenue. SEKoop will continue to provide training to cooperative groups such as CU. Dadirah (2 members), CU. KFTL, CU. MBX (4 members), CU. Pão Moris (2 members), CU. Feto Potensial (2 members), Dino Catering (6 members), CU. Empreendedorismo (2 members), and CU. Fé (2 members),” said Secretary Arsénio.
Meanwhile, the Director of the National Directorate for Product and Cooperative Promotion, Ana Paula Pacheco de Fatima Magno, explained that similar training is planned in two more phases, which will be conducted in the municipalities of Ainaro, Lautém, Baucau, and Viqueque, concluding in Dili.
“We all know that Bafo Kayarala is a primary product included in the Government’s Constitutional Mandate through SEKoop. According to the organic law, cooperatives are to promote Bafo Kayarala. That’s why the Directorate has conducted this training for cooperative members, focusing on processing the product into nutritious food that can be included in school meals across Timor,” said Director Ana Paula.
She reaffirmed that Bafo Kayarala has the potential to supply both national and international markets. Today’s training was attended by 22 participants. The Directorate urged cooperative members to use the three-day training to gain practical knowledge from the provided technical assistance to further develop Bafo Kayarala products.
The government, through SEKoop, reiterated that the products processed will be included on the list of items supplied to the school meals program. The goal is to modify Bafo Kayarala into sweets and various food forms to be consumed by students.
Report: Domingas
Photo: Domingas