EU Director visits Timor-Leste Agroforestry Programme, highlights growing opportunities for farmers

LIQUIÇÁ and ERMERA, Timor-Leste (ILO News) – Peteris Ustubs, Director for Asia Pacific at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), visited Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience programme sites in Liquiçá and Ermera on 30 May, highlighting the impact of European Union (EU) and International Labour Organization (ILO) efforts to strengthen skills, create jobs and support sustainable livelihoods in rural communities.

The visit provided an opportunity to meet farmers, trainers and implementing partners involved in the Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience programme, an EU-funded initiative implemented by the ILO. The programme supports skills development in cacao and vanilla value chains, helping farmers improve productivity, strengthen climate resilience and access new economic opportunities.

Timorese farmers and communities are driving the progress we see today. Our role is to support that journey and help create the conditions for long-term growth.

Peteris Ustubs, Director for Asia Pacific at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA)

Accompanied by the EU Ambassador Thorsten Bargfrede, Head of Cooperation and Project Manager for the Agroforestry Skills programme Paulino Isidoro-Ramirez and ILO Programme Manager Richard Hanson, Ustubs visited the National Centre for Employment and Professional Training (CNEFP) in Tibar and the local NGO Mary MacKillop Today, which is dedicated to sustainable education and humanitarian assistance.

The visit showcased the successful partnership between the ILO and its implementing partners through the programme and underscored the EU's long-standing commitment to skills development and sustainable livelihoods in Timor-Leste.

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

The Agroforestry Skills programme aims to provide skills training for production, processing and business development in selected agroforestry value chains in Timor-Leste. It promotes economic diversification, climate resilience and the just transition to a green and circular economy, whilst supporting economic growth at the household, community and national levels.

At CNEFP Tibar, the programme has achieved strong progress in vanilla and cacao training. To date, 101 trainees have completed vanilla and cacao training, leading to the cultivation of more than 4,000 vanilla plants and 11,000 cacao plants. The centre has also integrated cacao and vanilla production into its Agriculture Certificate Levels I and II and submitted a new agroforestry certification programme for national accreditation.

We are grateful for the partnership with the ILO and the support of the EU. This collaboration has strengthened our institution, enabled us to train farmers and expanded opportunities for rural communities.

Simao Barreto, Director of CNEFP Tibar

In Ermera, Mary MacKillop Today has trained 434 farmers in vanilla production and supported the establishment of five agricultural cooperatives with 125 members trained in cooperative management.

Beyond technical training, the programme is helping strengthen institutions and create a pathway for agroforestry skills to become formally recognized within Timor-Leste's technical and vocational education and training system.

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

Speaking during the visit, Ustubs reaffirmed the EU's commitment to investing in skills and sustainable agricultural development: "Timorese farmers and communities are driving the progress we see today. Our role is to support that journey and help create the conditions for long-term growth."

Hanson noted that the programme demonstrates how skills development can contribute to decent work, private sector development and climate resilience.

“This partnership is helping farmers and young people gain market-relevant skills while creating new opportunities for employment and sustainable livelihoods,” he said.

A highlight of the visit was meeting trainees in the field and hearing firsthand how the training has improved their farming practices and income prospects. The delegation also visited vanilla and cacao plots established through the programme, seeing the results of the training firsthand.

The visit underscored the strong partnership between the EU and the ILO in supporting rural development in Timor-Leste. By equipping farmers and young people with climate-resilient farming practices and market-relevant skills, the programme is helping to build more resilient communities and create pathways to decent work across the country.

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO

© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO