Quarterly Report: April - June 2018, USAID's Avansa Agrikultura Project

The project's overall purpose is to accelerate inclusive and sustainable economic growth through increased productivity and profitability of the horticulture value chain, as well as support nutrition-smart agriculture interventions. The project supports the Development Objective of the USAID/Timor-Leste Mission, which is to strengthen institutional and human capacity for development to improve the lives of Timor-Leste's citizens. The project's two Sub-Purposes are Improved Ability of Timorese Citizens to Engage in Economic Activities and Increase Productivity of Selected Horticultural Value Chains. Sub-Purpose 1 focuses on improving market linkages, developing agribusiness and agri-support service providers, regulatory and trade policy improvements, and improving capacities of government to support horticulture development and improve nutrition. Output 1, Market Linkages Improved and Expanded across the Horticulture Value chain, aims to transition from a subsistence-based horticulture sector to a commercial sector by increasing private sector participation in the value chain. Significant activities were undertaken from April to June 2018. Three grant contracts were signed with collectors to co-finance the purchase of transport vehicles to support the collectors to expand their business. The project has also provided technical assistance to the collectors to develop business plans and increase the number of farmers from whom they purchase products. Grantees will receive support to procure cool trucks or motorized tricycles with boxes allowing them to expand their networks of buyers and sellers. The collectors have established connections with various buyers, including supermarkets, restaurants, and hospitals. Sara Unip.Lda will be supplying to Super Mercado W4 Audian, Mei Mart, Lita Store, Quilina, Pateo, Aalmamor Restaurant, and Maubisse's referral hospital. Laledu Berry Matak Unip. Lda will be supplying to Jacinto, Kmanek, Leader, Mei Mart, Dili Mart, and Centro Supermarket. Toos Garxis Matak, Lda has been connected with farmers in Metinaro to purchase 800 kilos of produce every two weeks. Pronsera Unip, Lda has been connected with Anakauluhan farmer group in Bobonaro to start purchasing small volumes of vegetables. One issue facing the collectors is farmer's hesitance to produce more varieties of vegetables as they are unsure of market demands outside their communities. Vinod Patel is importing 6000 packs of eighteen different types of seeds from Bangladesh to address this issue. The project also focuses on increasing productivity of selected horticultural value chains through tailored training and integrating NRM and nutrition training with farmer groups. Embedded Themes include Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture and Incorporating women and youth.