Growth market

7th Dec 2024, Reading time: 7 minutes

 WALKING WITH THE EXCLUDED  

By Zach Martorana, Communications Coordinator, Jesuit Mission Australia

Thanks to Australian donors, Jesuit Mission’s Food Security program, run by Jesuit Social Service in Timor-Leste, is dramatically changing the lives of farming families. Every year, more than 400 farmers are trained and supplied with the skills, materials and support they need to improve harvests, achieve food security and create a better future.

Bartolomeu, a 30-year-old farmer and father of two, is a strong advocate for the impact of this program. He stopped farming in 2019, travelling to Dili, the national capital, to look for work. “I worked away from my family as a manual labourer, carrying stones, bricks and materials for construction. It was difficult work, and the pay was meagre. I worked there for a year before leaving in 2020 to work as a security guard in Dili, but the salary was too low to meet my family’s needs. I couldn’t cover my expenses, including house rent, food and sending money home.

“So, I left that job and returned home in 2021 to Maukularmate to resume farming. I farmed based on my knowledge, and while the results were not great, they were better than working in Dili.”

But Bartolomeu and his family still faced chronic food insecurity, struggling daily to put meals on the table.

“As a farmer, I felt isolated because I lacked the proper knowledge and techniques to grow vegetables. No one shared this information or these techniques with me. At the time, people in this community didn’t really communicate with one another about what type of vegetables to grow at any given time. As a result, when I brought my produce to the market, my neighbours often had the same vegetables, leading to high competition. But thanks to the Food Security program, we now communicate with one another about who will grow what, so that everyone can sell their produce in the market. This way, our community always has a variety of vegetables to consume daily. It’s a very good approach and one that benefits us all.

“The Food Security program started here in 2023, bringing significant changes to my farming life. They introduced us to many new farming methods, allowing me to grow various types of vegetables and achieve excellent yields. Now, my family have enough food to eat, and we can also earn some income by selling my produce. Additionally, I can live with my family in our own home, instead of looking for work further afield. This has been a great change for both my life and my family’s life. In addition, I have learned the best methods for growing vegetables and taking care of my land for farming.”

Thanks to innovative training in sustainable farming and farming support, Bartolomeu’s farm not only provides nutritious meals for his family, but he has enough to sell to market for a reliable income. “The training we’ve received has been invaluable,” he says. “From growing vegetables to making organic fertilisers and managing irrigation, this knowledge has been a game-changer for us.”

From his initial low productivity to what is now a thriving farm with new knowledge and resources, Bartolomeu’s journey illustrates the profound impact of targeted agricultural support. He is very happy with the improvements brought by the Food Security program.

Bartolomeu benefited from his hands-on training in various aspects of farming, including planting techniques for vegetables, making organic fertilisers and managing water resources. This training has allowed him to increase his productivity and improve the quality of his crops. He has harvested mustard five times, lettuce once and broccoli once, with ongoing production of other vegetables. Each harvest of mustard generates between $100 and $150, while the newer crops like salad vegetables and broccoli are expected to bring in $10 to $25 per harvest.

A buyer, having been informed by JSS’s Program Officer, now purchases Bartolomeu’s vegetables directly from his farm, ensuring a steady market and fair prices. The program has significantly boosted Bartolomeu’s income, providing his family with a reliable source of daily earnings. The improved economic situation has allowed them to support their children’s education and cover other essential expenses. The family now enjoys nutritious, organic food from their own farm, thereby improving their overall health and diet.

“Now, my family and I work together in our home garden more often than before. My children really enjoy these activities. They like to join my wife and me when we work on the farm because it is next to our house, but they don’t do any heavy work. Since the program started, we no longer need to go to the market to buy vegetables because we grow our own. Now, we go to the market to buy other food items like rice, cooking oil, and some meat.”

The Food Security program has helped create access to water for irrigation, seeds and agricultural materials as well. The program, Bartolomeu says, “has also helped us to establish a cooperative for saving money and an engaged group for community building. We have the ability to enjoy our earnings now, but also, we have the savings for our children’s future.”

With improved resources and knowledge, Bartolomeu has increased his vegetable production and even gained access to new markets. Despite the successes, Bartolomeu faces several challenges. “First, vegetable farming is difficult during the rainy season due to excess moisture and lack of shades. Second, there is a need for additional funds to scale up production and more fertile black soil to enhance soil quality. Third, a lack of seed resources, coupled with issues like snake attacks on vegetables are also hurdles for us to boost production.”

Bartolomeu is hopeful for continued support from JSS. He expresses a desire for further assistance in the following areas:

• Expanding activities: Incorporating animal husbandry and fish farming;
• Infrastructure development: Building a fertiliser production tank to produce soil independently;
• Additional training: Receiving further education on advanced agricultural techniques.

With enhanced skills, improved market access, and increased income, Bartolomeu has not only transformed his own life but has also contributed to his community’s well-being. His story highlights the critical role of ongoing support and innovation in fostering nutrition and income-sensitive sustainable agricultural development.

Jesuit Mission CEO Helen Forde, encourages Australians to donate to Jesuit Mission’s Christmas Appeal: “Every donation, no matter how big or small, has an enormous impact in countries like Timor-Leste. Shockingly, most families are struggling to survive on an average income of just A$2.40 per day.

“A donation can help provide essential training in sustainable agriculture, nutrition and organic farming techniques to Timorese farmers. Through the program we also support the development of cooperatives, enabling communities to save for the future and create lasting change.“

“As Pope Francis reminds us: ‘Solidarity is not the sharing of crumbs from the table, but to make space at the table for everyone.’ With your generosity, more Timorese families like Bartolomeu’s can build thriving farms, fill their plates with nutritious food, and secure a brighter future for generations to come,” said Ms Forde.

Donate to the Jesuit Mission Christmas Appeal 2024 or call 02 8918 4109.