Rice fields being prepared in Uatulari with seedling beds
Photo: Benvindo Jose Ernesto

(Tetum)A 2 week period of low rainfall at the end of April may mark the end of the wet season for many areas in Timor-Leste. For areas along the south coast it can be normal to have a short period of low rainfall before the second round of rains allow the possibility of a second crop. For those rice fields that are struggling to get enough water from irrigation systems, this period of low rain may prove to be very critical. Rice crops in the Maliana basin that are flowering are especially at risk. (more…)

 

Maize in Liquica mountains harvested and drying. Photo: Samuel Bacon, SoL

Maize in Liquica mountains harvested and drying. Photo: Samuel Bacon, SoL

(Tetum)The rain continues to fall across the country although it is declining in a number of places such as Baucau, Covalima and Liquica. Other areas such as in Betano and Viqueque along the south coast received good rainfall.

It looks like the end of the wet season now especially for north coast locations such as Oecusse and Atauro which received very little rain again.

Many farmers have harvested their corn or are about to harvest it. Some good rains were received along the south coast during the first half of May and this may trigger some more planting of maize. Rice planting continues across many areas in Timor-Leste.

El Nino Crop Situation Report 20160415

Corns are ready to harvested

(Tetum)The rainfall pattern continues with sufficient rainfall in the mountains but insufficient or patchy rainfall along the coast. Many farmers have started harvesting throughout the mountains. Many rice fields are late in being planted or are at risk of not being established this year. A number of areas along the north and south coast continue to experience low rainfall.

El Nino Crop Situation Report 20160315

(Tetum) MAF-SoL has been researching the positive impacts of growing Lehe, velvet bean in English, in cornfields to improve soil fertility.  Lehe is a legume that fixes nitrogen in the soil, increases organic matter and creates a mulch cover that smothers weeds. (more…)

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