ConocoPhillips GDA Expansion ERMERA, LIQUICA, BOBONARO QUARTERLY REPORT #2 OCTOBER 2014 – FEBRUARY 2015

The project was implemented by DAI, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development. The project's main objective was to expand the existing agricultural development initiative to 10 new communities in Districts other than Aileu. The project's implementation involved several activities, including the expansion to 10 new communities, diversification of commercial models, and provision of technical assistance to farmers. The project identified 11 communities, including Ermera, Gleno 1, Gleno 2, Railako, Liquica, Ulmera 1, Ulmera 2, Maubara 1, Maubara 2, Loes, and Atabae 1 and 2. DAC staff conducted introductory meetings with farmer groups and local authorities to explain the project's objectives and activities. The project provided technical assistance to farmers, including Farmer Field School, International Training in Indonesia, Pesticide Safer Use training, and Farming as a Business. The project also distributed agriculture materials, such as plastic tunnels, irrigation systems, and seeds, to improve the quality of farmers' production. The project's monitoring visits revealed that farmers were producing vegetables for sale, using techniques introduced by DAC, such as plastic tunnels, drip irrigation, and compost pits. The project's commercial models included partnerships with Dilimart, W4 Supermarket, and FarmPro. Dilimart and W4 Supermarket were successful in establishing market linkages with farmers, while FarmPro failed to provide a stable market opportunity for farmers in Bobonaro District. The project's assessment revealed that farmers were most likely to adopt new production and management technologies in response to clear, stable market demand. The project's diversification of commercial models aimed to pilot new types of market linkage that were less demanding of management capacity and capital than the contract farming model used by Kmanek and Dilimart. The project identified three buyers, including Dilimart, W4 Supermarket, and FarmPro, and provided technical assistance to establish and expand their farmer group linkages. The project's objective was to introduce new commercial models that were less rigidly controlled and provided more flexibility to farmers. The project's monitoring visits were completed in February 2015, and the results revealed that farmers were producing vegetables for sale, using techniques introduced by DAC. The project's assessment highlighted the importance of stable market demand in encouraging farmers to adopt new production and management technologies. The project's findings and recommendations will inform future agricultural development initiatives in the region.