1. Photos Courtesy of USAID’s Developing Agricultural Communities Project
USAID’S AVANSA AGRIKULTURA
PROJECT
Purpose:
To accelerate inclusive and sustainable economic growth through
increased productivity and profitability of the horticulture value chain
and to promote nutrition and climate-smart agriculture activities that
support increased food production, agricultural income, and women’s
empowerment.
Location:
Municipalities of Aileu, Ainaro, Bobonaro, Ermera, and
Dili.
Key Counterparts:
Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries, Commerce and Industry,
Education, and Health; Private Sector Organizations
Duration:
April 2015 - March 2020
Contract:
$19,200,000
Partner Contact:
Ana Sequeira
USAID’s Avansa Agrikultura Communications Specialist
Email: info@avansaag.com / as.morrena@gmail.com
USAID Contact:
Mark Henderson
Agriculture Officer
Email: mahenderson@usaid.gov
Background
USAID’s Avansa Agrikultura Project aims to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth accelerated in the agriculture
sector. At the end of this project, it is anticipated that over 33,000 people in 250 communities will be earning higher incomes,
showing improved nutrition practices, and managing their economic assets more effectively. USAID’s Avansa Agrikultura Project
is implemented via a phased approach, building on development gains made through previous projects and piloting new
interventions. Activities begin in a small number of communities in the first year and then scale up successful interventions to
reach the target number of communities over the period of five years. The project uses a learning approach and, through ongoing
monitoring to assess efficiency and effectiveness, makes adjustments as necessary.
The project focuses on Timor-Leste’s horticulture value chain and aims at addressing the key challenges of rural poverty, natural
resource degradation, food insecurity, and under-nutrition. The value chain approach is applied in achieving increased productivity
along key horticulture value chains that include vegetables, fruits and legumes. Through the promotion of sustainable production
practices, increased functionality of farmer groups and associations, improved market linkages, and increased availability and
access to quality agricultural inputs and services, including access to finance, the project aims to stimulate and support increased
economic activity and growth in rural communities and municipalities. Sustainability of these activities are supported by work to
maintain sound policies and enabling environment relevant to the sector, as well as efforts to increase resilience to climate change
and improve natural resource management as it relates to farm systems.
Summary
Through USAID’s Avansa Agrikultura Project, USAID continues to build on the development gains with farmers, buyers and
communities. The project works to diversify models of engagement beyond contract farming and explore other opportunities to
expand market linkages and support economic growth in the sector. A fundamental focus of USAID’s Avansa Agrikultura Project
is to develop long term sustainability by strengthening the private sector and local partners responsible for the delivery of services
to rural farmers.
The project has four primary integrated components:
 Strengthening the horticulture value chain;
 Improving natural resources management;
 Improving nutrition and livelihoods; and
 Transitioning subsistence farmers to commercial growers
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Dili, Timor-Leste
Telephone: (670) 3322211-2  Fax: (670) 3322216  Website: www.usaid.gov/timor-leste
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USAIDTimorLeste  Twitter: http://twitter.com/USAIDTimorLeste