East Timor says it's acting on an audit of its agriculture ministry that found irregularities in millions of dollars worth of contracts intended to help East Timor's farmers.
East Timor's in a race against time to boost its agricultural production, not just to improve the lives of farmers but so it can find other sources for when its oil and gas fields run out. The government says it's implementing the recommendations of agriculture audit to make sure spending reaches those who need it.
Transcript
Elizabeth Jackson: East Timor says it's acting on an audit of its Agriculture Ministry that found irregularities in millions of dollars worth of contracts, intended to help East Timor's farmers.
East Timor's in a race against time to boost its agricultural production, not just to improve the lives of farmers but so it can find other sources for when its oil and gas fields run out.
The government says it's implementing the recommendations of the agriculture audit to make sure spending reaches those who need it. Sara Everingham has this report from a village south-west of Dili.
Sara Everingham: Like many of East Timor's farmers, 31-year-old Paulo dos Santos da Cruz grows enough food to feed his young family, but he struggles to make a profit. He says he makes just $140 a year from his farm in the village of Fahilebo, in the hills south-west of Dili.
(Sound of Paulo dos Santos da Cruz speaking in Portuguese)
"Yes, it is enough to feed the family," he says, "but I need to find other work from somewhere else."
East Timor's minister for Agriculture, Estanislau da Silva, wants to help farmers boost their agricultural production. For about a decade, East Timor's economy has been highly dependent on oil and gas for revenue. Estanislau da Silva wants to change that.
Estanislau Da Silva: To develop agriculture and then also to give the opportunity to generate income and jobs in rural areas.
Sara Everingham: For about 15 years an Australian aid program's been trying to help farmers grow enough crops to sell. The Seeds of Life program's been testing different varieties of crops for local farming groups. The program's Australian team leader is John Dalton:
John Dalton: Now there's an additional six or so legumes will be released very soon. So that broadens the opportunity for improved nutrition.
Sara Everingham: The agriculture minister, Estanislau da Silva, says boosting agricultural production is good for farmers and for the country.
Estanislau Da Silva: We need to look at alternative investments to generate jobs and income for the country apart from oil and gas, because they are not going to be there forever. So then the country can be more prosperous without having to rely entirely on oil and gas.
Sara Everingham: But a report by East Timor's audit chamber on the Agriculture Ministry between 2011 and 2013 has found irregularities in millions of dollars worth of local contracts that were intended to help local farmers.
Estanislau Da Silva: It's to wake us up: to say that there are checks and balances. So don't take anything for granted.
Sara Everingham: Mr da Silva was not the agriculture minister at the time. He took over earlier this year. He says he's been restructuring the ministry and acting on the report.
Estanislau Da Silva: So then we can avoid committing the same mistakes in the future.
Sara Everingham: Mr da Silva says the Australian aid program was not affected by any mismanagement. He says the audit's chamber report's been handed to East Timor's public prosecutor and the anti-corruption commission The minister says the government is trying to make sure its spending hits the ground.
Elizabeth Jackson: Sara Everingham reporting.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-05/east-timor-agriculture-ministry-audit-reveals/7004178