(Tetun) Local production of improved maize, rice and peanut seed will get a boost this 2014-15 cropping season following the registration of 27 new commercial seed producers (CSP) by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) in late 2014.

This brings total CSPs to 58 nationwide, adding to the previous 31 CSPs registered in 2013 under the National Seed System for Released Varieties (NSRV). (more…)

(Tetum) As an Australian Aid co-funded project, MAF-SoL ranks work health and safety (WHS) as a top priority.

The program proactively develops strategies to eliminate and manage risks to staff, program recipients and the greater Timorese community, and aims to work toward an Australian standard of risk reduction. (more…)

(Tetum) “I am really happy to be involved in seed production with Seeds of Life, because since we started that my life has become better than before,” said Anina de Jesus, a peanut farmer living in Ritabou village, Maliana sub-district, Bobonaro district.

Anina is chief of the six-member contract grower group ‘Aselsam’ that produces certified seed  of Utamua, the improved peanut variety released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and sells it to MAF for use by other seed producers.

Since Anina first began planting the improved variety in 2008 she has had many positive changes in her life. (more…)

(Tetum) Martinha da Costa Boavida is chief of  ‘Moris Foun’ community seed production group (CSPG) in aldeia Bahamori, suco Ostico, Baucau district.

Martinha has successfully led the group of 26 members – 18 male and 8 female – since 2006 in planting sweet potato varieties Hohrae 1, Hohrae 2, and Hohrae 3, released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Seeds of Life. The group members own their own plots, and come together to collectively plant, water, weed and harvest. (more…)