Jacinta Pereira, a smallholder farmer in Maliana town in Bobonaro municipality in Timor-Leste
The lifeblood of Timor-Leste's agricultural sector - smallholder farming - is to be bolstered by collaborative University of Queensland-led research. The project will evaluate livestock development initiatives, foster international trade and look at new opportunities for the 87.2 per cent of households in Timor-Leste that keep livestock. Project leader Dr Dominic Smith from UQ's School of Agriculture and Food Sciences said focusing on smallholders will have extremely positive impacts on livelihoods. "Livestock are kept by the vast majority of households in Timor-Leste and are important not only for income but for household nutrition, savings and cultural practices," he said. "For example, while there is not a large domestic market for pork, pigs are kept by around 146,000 households, predominantly for consumption during cultural ceremonies and can also be sold during times of financial stress." The researchers will interview farmers and other stakeholders in Maliana and Baucau municipalities, collecting information on livestock and overall livelihoods. Collaborator Dr Tarni Cooper said understanding on-the-ground realities was crucial for effectively evaluating previous and proposed livestock development initiatives. "Livestock programs never occur in a vacuum," she said.
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