The Latest

(Tetum) Seeds of Life (SoL) research showing that the average temperature in Timor-Leste has increased by 1°C and rainfall has dropped 19% since 1974 was presented at the 1st Climate Change Adaptation Conference in Dili this week.

The research finding that Timor-Leste is now hotter than in Portuguese times is based on an analysis of changes in temperature and rainfall between the periods 1954-1974 and 2004-2012. (more…)

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(Tetum) With the maize planting season just around the corner, farming families will soon be choosing which varieties to grow this 2014-15 cropping season.

Here’s eight reasons why farming families love growing Sele and Noi Mutin, the two more productive maize varieties released by the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries in 2007 and 2012 respectively.
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(Tetum) A recent visit from four Indonesian crop scientists to Timor-Leste to meet with MAF researchers has signalled the start of a new research-based relationship between the two countries.

The scientists from the Indonesia Legumes and Tuber Crops Research Institute (ILETRI) spent four days touring the country to understand how their proven technologies could work in Timor’s agricultural conditions. (more…)

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(Tetum) Enterprising farmers groups across the country are discovering that the improved varieties released by MAF-SoL don’t just increase crop yields but are creating new money-making opportunities as well.

There’s no shortage in the diversity either with some groups selling Utamua peanuts to neighbouring farmers, others producing cassava chips from  Ai-Luka varieties of cassava and others selling young sweet potato leaves of Hohrae varieties in local vegetable markets. (more…)

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