A total of US$26.57 million has been approved for the construction contract  Uatuwa-Modobuti irrigation project in Baucau, and US$11.96 million for the Iraberi irrigation project in Suco Irabin de Baixo in Viqueque, the government said in a statement on Wednesday.

Most of Timor-Leste’s farmland lacks irrigation so any increase in irrigated land should help reduce the country’s dependence on rainfall, which has been deficient in recent years due to climate change, raising fears of drought.

The number of people without regular access to nutritious and affordable food is projected to hit 360,000 during this year, according to a regional food security analysis by Timor-Leste government and Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.  

Drought-like conditions, high food prices, landslides and floods are driving people in Timor-Leste to acute food insecurity, the IPC said.