The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), His Excellency Eng. Joaquim José Gusmão dos Reis Martins, launched the Government’s Disaster Risk Management (DRM) / Climate Change and adaptation (CCA) Task Force on May 13, 2020. The initiative was supported by FAO and the European Union. At the event, the Minister handed over certificates of membership to Dr. Joanita Bendita Jong, who is chairing the Task Force and all its members in recognition of the good work already achieved.

Timor-Leste is prone to disasters that include prolonged dry seasons, droughts, floods, uncontrolled fires, as well as pests and diseases outbreaks. The agriculture sector, and farmers in particular, are severely affected by these recurring disasters, which are rapidly increasing in frequency and intensity as a result of climate change.

The Ministry created a formal Disaster Risk Management Task Force in March 2020 composed of 16 Directorates, and its initial responsibility has been to draft a disaster risk management plan for the agriculture sector. Also, in the event of a shock such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the Task Force members are set to support the relevant directorates that are at the forefront of the response. His Excellency, the Minister said: “I am pleased to launch this important Task Force today and encourage its members to continue the hard and diligent work they are undertaking.”

The risks faced by the agriculture sector are significant. Over the past year, Timor-Leste experienced more disasters than in last five years together. Indeed, in September 2019, the country became the eleventh Asian country to report African Swine Fever (ASF), which has the potential to devastate the national pig herd, and already caused significant negative impacts on farmers’ livelihoods. In October 2019, an uncontrolled fire in Ermera and Liquica resulting from slash and burn farming activities damaged or destroyed resulted in 136 houses as well as coffee and vanilla plantations, pigs and buffaloes in pens. In January 2020, several Sucos were affected by drought which depressed staple food production. In February, a dangerous insect pest of maize, the Fall Army Worm (FAW), was identified for the first time in Timor-Leste and it has already caused major crop losses. If not addressed, the pest will significantly damage the maize crop for the next season. In March, a flood originating from degraded watersheds above Dili caused widespread damage in the city, and then in the same month the first Covid-19 cases were identified, resulting in the declaration of a State of Emergency that put agri-food systems, farmers and small traders in the country under significant stress.

The launching of the DRM Task Force is an important milestone for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in establishing the adequate structures and measures to address the raising challenges faced by the agriculture sector.