Sustainable Use of Agro Biodiversity in Timor Leste

Sustainable Use of Agro Biodiversity in Timor Leste

Climate, Environment and Biodiversity

Client:

GIZ

Period:

2012-2016

Country:

Timor Leste

Project Description

 

The environment in Timor-Leste shows a high level of agricultural biodiversity. However this quality is rapidly deteriorating through agricultural transformation processes.

The growing population density, land degradation, increasing monoculture and the spread of invasive non-indigenous plants, have lead to a strong reduction in the diversity of agricultural crops. There is moreover, a lack of awareness amongst the local population about the importance of preserving the rich agricultural biodiversity.

Goals

 

The goal of the project is therefore the protection and sustainable management of a wide range of agricultural plants, including many indigenous species, so as to maintain the agricultural biodiversity.

Regions: Lautem, Baucau, Viqueque, Manatutu and Bobonaro Districts

Consortium with IP Consult and NIRAS

Read about the project conclusion at ‚Agro-Biodiversity in Timor-Leste protected by farmers, civil society and government‘.

General Information
Topics:Climate, Environment and Biodiversity
Client:GIZ
Period:2012-2016
Country:Timor Leste
Service:To provide advise on the inclusion of agricultural biodiversity in national policies and to establish a monitoring system to control the implementation;
Government agricultural advisors are trained in the sustainable management of agricultural biodiversity.
In selected districts, the existing agricutural biodiversity and traditional knowledge about the cultivation and use of these plants, is documented with the help of local farmers. This will form the basis for the national monitoring system.
The farming groups serve as multipliers in areas such as the improvement and spread of traditional varieties and the application of mixed cropping.
Supply chains for a wide variety of agricultural crops are to be established, in order to provide an income for the rural population and incentives to cultivate these crops.
Various actors (farming groups, advisory services, NGOs, etc.) will interact with one another as a part of the project and will be strengthened through capacity development, sensitisation and knowledge management.