US Ambassador Donna Ann Welton visited FAO project site in Viqueque, Timor-Leste

On August 5, 2024, the Ambassador of United States to Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, H.E. Donna Ann Welton visited a farm in Umawain Kraik, Viqueque and interacted with farmers. The farmers of this village including the owner of the farm (Augusto) are organized into farmers groups by current US assisted project to provide various kinds of supports including training, seeds and advisory services on implementation of CSA/CA and NSA practices.

During the visit, the Ambassador observed Mung bean planting as a relay crop with upland rice and interacted with the farmers and FAO staffs focussing on the benefits of US assistance. She also received farmers feedback and concerns.

Farmers expressed their satisfactions and gratitude to US assistance and US and FAO collaboration in supporting agricultural communities. Farmers also mentioned damage of agriculture by free-ranging livestock, on farm infestation of pest such as Fall armyworm, unpredictable climate events such as drought and flooding, and limited access to agriculture mechanization as the major problems they are facing. 

On behalf of FAO, Som Khanal, Internation Program Coordinator and Claudino Nabais, Senior CSA/CA advisor briefed the Ambassador on significance of US and FAO collaboration since 2013 to introduce CSA/CA practice in Timor-Leste and expansion in 10 municipalities thereafter.

The ambassador was briefed that FAO is implementing a US funded Transforming agri-food systems to enhance food security, nutrition and resilience to crises in Timor-Leste (OSRO/TIM/200/USA) project in 10 municipalities namely Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro, Covalima, Ermera, Lautem, Manatuto, Manufahi, and Viqueque supporting farmers in improving agriculture production, productivities and resilience by providing inputs for Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), Conservation Agriculture (CA) and Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture (NSA). The project is covering more than 7500 HHs organized into 365 farmers groups.

It was further briefed to the Ambassador that FAO is promoting cultivation of Mung bean for multiple reasons such as being a drought tolerant crop, high protein crop to increase intake of protein in household diet, as a cover crop, and a rotation crop for nitrogen regeneration in soil.

During the visit and interaction, the ambassador expressed her satisfaction with the FAO’s works through US assistance to improve agriculture in Timor-Leste. She encouraged the farmers to continue their efforts, emphasizing that increased production food, especially protein and vegetable is vital in meeting the nutritional needs of the family. The ambassador also advised farmers to gradually and carefully adopt adequate mechanization while at the same time not abandoning the traditional knowledges and practices. 

Farmers of all ages, notably youths attended in numbers, interacted with the Ambassador and expressed their interests in agriculture. They voiced their hopes for continued supports from the US in agriculture development of Timor-Leste.

Ambassador Welton’s visit to FAO implemented site as her very first field mission in Timor-Leste underscores the importance of decade long collaboration between FAO and US assistance through United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). Her visit further highlights the significance of the current Transforming agri-food systems to enhance food security, nutrition and resilience to crises in Timor-Leste and countrywide expanding of CSA/CA/NSA practices to increase food security and resilience of the farmers.