(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…)
(Tetum) Seeds of Life has successfully piloted business plan training last month for three farmers’ associations that sell commercial seed, and now plans to nationally roll-out the training in 2014.
Training sessions were held for three established farmers’ associations to help build their skills in managing group activities, finances and the marketing of seed. (more…)
(Tetum) Twelve farmers’ associations in Baucau, Lautem and Viqueque received their official MAF Seed Department registration certificates qualifying them as Commercial Seed Producers (CSPs) last week, bringing the total of registered producers nationwide to 31.
That’s a 10 times expansion of the three initial CSPs licensed to produce seed last cropping. (more…)
(Tetum) Three farmer associations from Baucau and Liquisa districts are the first to be officially registered as Commercial Seed Producers under the National Seed System for Released Varieties (NSSRV).
The associations received their registration certificates from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) in mid-July. This permits them to produce and sell commercial seed in accordance with MAF’s Guidelines and, subject to spot checks by MAF Seed Department, sell it as “truthfully labeled” commercial seed to other farmers, NGOs, commercial seed traders and the Timor-Leste Government. (more…)
