Vietnam shares agricultural development experience in Timor-Leste's largest coffee region
WVR - On November 9, Vietnamese Ambassador to Timor-Leste Pham Binh Dam led a delegation from the embassy to Ermera province, the largest coffee-growing region in Timor-Leste, to explore the socio-economic development and share Vietnam's experiences in agriculture and rural development.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Timor-Leste Pham Binh Dam (far left) discusses socio-economic development experiences and the potential for enhanced cooperation between the locality and Vietnam with Ermera Mayor José Martinho dos Santos Soares. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Timor-Leste) |
The delegation met with provincial leaders, the Department of Agriculture, representatives of coffee industry businesses, and visited several local farms.
During the meeting with Ermera Mayor José Martinho dos Santos Soares, the delegation was introduced to the province's development priorities.
Both sides discussed the potential for increased exchanges between Ermera and Vietnamese localities.
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| Ambassador Pham Binh Dam and Ermera Mayor José Martinho dos Santos Soares at the meeting. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Timor-Leste) |
On this occasion, Ambassador Pham Binh Dam shared experiences in leveraging natural landscapes and cultural identity to boost tourism and create additional livelihoods for residents in some Vietnamese localities.
Ermera has about 27,000 coffee-growing households, contributing the largest share to Timor-Leste's total production.
This is the main source of income for many families and is considered a symbol of the province.
The cool highland climate and organic farming practices under shade trees provide an advantage for Ermera to develop specialty coffee.
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| Vietnam and Timor-Leste have significant potential to enhance cooperation in agriculture. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Timor-Leste) |
During the survey of coffee farms, the delegation learned about the methods of care and harvesting, which are still largely manual.
Many farms have trees that are 40-50 years old, requiring renovation to maintain productivity.
At the discussion, the Director of the Ermera Department of Agriculture and business representatives noted that the province's coffee production is declining, while processing conditions remain limited.
Moreover, products are primarily sold through purchasing agents.
In light of this situation, Ermera seeks to learn from Vietnam's experience in farm care, cooperative organization, and enhancing product value.
Provincial representatives also mentioned the connection between the coffee industries of the two countries. Catimor, a group of Arabica coffee varieties widely grown in Vietnam, partly originates from the Híbrido de Timor, a natural hybrid discovered on Timor Island.
Sharing about Vietnam's agricultural development, Ambassador Pham Binh Dam noted that from a country lacking food, Vietnam has risen to become one of the world's leading exporters of food, coffee, and seafood.
This achievement is attributed to investments in rural infrastructure focusing on electricity, roads, schools, and stations; management reforms; household contracting; and the application of scientific and technical advancements to increase productivity, particularly in rice production and coffee farm renovation in the Central Highlands.
According to the Ambassador, these could serve as valuable references for Ermera to choose a path suited to its farming conditions and regional characteristics.
Addressing solutions to enhance product value, the Ambassador emphasized the role of processing, brand building, and production linkage through cooperatives, thereby enabling farmers to benefit more from their labor.
Ambassador Pham Binh Dam also suggested combining coffee production with tourism, allowing visitors to tour farms, learn about cultivation processes, and enjoy products right at the growing sites.
Concluding the mission, the Ambassador expressed a desire for both sides to continue discussions and seek cooperation areas that align with Ermera's needs and conditions, thereby deepening the Vietnam-Timor-Leste friendship.
(Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Timor-Leste)
