Watch From Seeds to Harvest: Honouring TOMAK’s 10-Year Journey in Timor-Leste

What the project achieved:

• Farmers are producing, consuming and selling more nutritious and diverse foods – better health, greater food security and more resilient, self-sufficient communities.
• Farming communities have worked together to support one another and learn together, improving farming practice and increasing investment opportunities, productivity and financial stability.
• Women, youth and people with disabilities are more empowered, actively involved in farming and decision-making – more equitable communities are a foundation for greater resilience.
• National institutions, systems and policies are strengthened, modernised and embedded in local systems – strong roots to continue growing the agricultural sector in Timor-Leste.

By the numbers:

Enabling Policies & Government Systems

• National policies validated and ready for approval – Including the National Seeds Policy, Extension Policy and Gender Equality Policy.
• Updated Agricultural Extension Manual adopted nationally – A GEDSI‑mainstreamed standard now used in municipal planning.
• Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA) curriculum institutionalised across agriculture and health sectors – The National Institute of Public Health, Timor-Leste now independently manages digital NSA monitoring tools.
• Five government‑owned Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) centres operational – Embedded in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry (GoTL) workplans and budgets.
• Government‑led coordination strengthened – Development partner mapping revived; 80% of partners reported improved investment decisions.

Resilient & Productive Farming Systems

• Farmer resilience increased from 55% → 88% – Driven by improved food security, savings, diversification and CSA adoption.
• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) adoption reached 83% (vs 35% non‑TOMAK) – Livestock GAP adoption reached 78%.
• CSA adoption reached 44% – High uptake of mulching (88%), organic fertiliser (74%), and water‑saving practices.
• Production increased annually by 82% on average (2018–2025) – Livestock holdings rose 65% in one year.
• Postharvest losses reduced from 27% → 13% – More nutritious food available for consumption and sale.

Inclusive Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment

• Women’s empowerment reached 95% (A‑WEAI[1]) – Compared to 81% among non‑TOMAK farmers.
• Savings & Loans Groups mobilised USD 674,000 in savings – 97 groups remain active; 72% of leadership roles held by women.
• Market partnerships expanded from 27 → 85 actors – Sales per farmer increased 133%.
• Input access increased to 90% (vs 73% non‑TOMAK) – Strengthened local supply chains and supply networks.
• Youth and People with Disabilities (PwD) inclusion strengthened – PwD empowerment reached 91%; youth training and professional placement, youth agripreneurs established 32 CSA businesses.

Nutrition, Diet Quality & Household Food Security

• Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women increased from 16% → 50%
• Moderate and severe food insecurity reduced from 39% → 22% – Severe food insecurity dropped from 11% → 3%.
• Dietary diversity improved (FGDS[2]5 → 5.1) – “All‑5” food group consumption more than doubled (10% → 24%).
• NSA knowledge increased from 33% → 74% – 2,084 participants trained; 92% of providers use seasonal food calendars.
• Consumption of nutrient‑rich foods increased – Vitamin A‑rich foods: 44% → 52% – Eggs from own production: 35% → 46%

Climate‑Smart & Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture

• CSA embedded in government systems – Five CSA centres operational; Agricultural Extension Workers trained in CSA, water management, agroforestry and hydroponics.
• 12,000 seedlings distributed (42% perennials) – Supporting soil health, water retention and carbon sequestration.
• Hydroponics scaled for PwD – 40 systems installed; 2.5 harvest cycles on average; 41% reporting sales.
• Climate‑smart livestock housing expanded – 91 units protecting 1,270 animals; improved manure management and reduced disease risk.
• Water‑efficient technologies adopted – Terracing, Sloping Agriculture Land Technology, drip irrigation, storage pits and spring protection widely used.

[1] Abbreviated Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index

[2] Food Group Diversity Score