Prospects for coffee development in East Timor

摘要

Coffee is East Timor's leading export commodity, with an estimated 16,000 ha of productive coffee gardens and an additional unproductive 16,000 ha. Some 20,000 farm families receive a substantial amount of their income from small coffee holdings, while another 15,000 get a minor portion of their income from this source. Yields are about ! 50-200 kg of green beans per ha, less than half their potential if improved cultivation techniques were employed. Most of the large coffee estates established in colonial times have been abandoned, and the coffee bushes on them are picked by nearby farmers. Better and proper application of technology in coffee production needs to be made available to improve the quality for exports. The international standard requirement by OCIA gives rise to continuous inspection of organic coffee to ensure high quality products. There is an important need to improve the quality of coffee and all players in coffee development, namely the farmers' association, government, NGOs andacademics need to address this issue. It is envisaged that in 10 years time a better road network and transportation system will be in place and that improvement in the field of education and training, provision of technical expertise and extension services and better management in post harvest will be achieved. The ultimate objective is to generate income for the country.