IMPROVING FRESH VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN TIMOR-LESTE THROUGH PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTION

Indonesia’s withdrawal from Timor-Leste a decade ago resulted in the dismantling of the public sector which was the predominant employer. Agriculture was supported with heavily subsidised inputs, guaranteed markets and extension workers operating in each village. The removal of these support systems resulted in a significant decline in agricultural productivity, with a serious detrimental impact on food security. In the horticulture sector, the demand was met almost exclusively by overseas producers. Most fresh vegetables sold in Dili’s supermarkets, hotels and restaurants came from Australia. Local farmers tended to produce indigenous varieties to meet household needs and to sell any surplus in the local market. A USAID funded program has encouraged more sustainable consumption practices in Dili providing an opportunity for smallholder farmers to increase production and to generate some income. Development Alternatives has been operating in Timor-Leste since 1999. In 2005, DAI initiated the Dezenvolve Setór Privadu (private sector devel-opment - DSP) program with the aim of facilitating the creation of a supply chain for fresh vegetables between smallholder producers and high-end consumers. This involved linking farmer groups to distributors and supermarkets. For this endeavour to be successful, all aspects of the supply chain through seed selection, growing, harvest, handling, transport, storage and distribution had to be addressed. A key element of this work has been the provision of extension services to farmers to help them meet the exacting standards of end users.