Author: Sergio Barreto, Oxfam in Timor-Leste
Youth entrepreneurship in agriculture plays a vital role in strengthening local economies and promoting sustainable livelihoods in Timor-Leste. Across the country, young farmers face both opportunities and challenges as they work to build productive businesses in areas such as organic fertilizer, agrotourism, fish farming, and cash crops. Supporting their growth is essential for reducing rural unemployment, improving food security, and encouraging innovation within the agricultural sector. This cross-learning initiative highlights how collaboration can empower young farmers to expand their skills, confidence, and business potential.
Many youth farmer groups across Timor-Leste are actively engaged in productive agricultural activities, yet they continue to face significant barriers. These include limited technical knowledge, weak access to markets, lack of financial literacy, and difficulties in obtaining business licenses or soft loans. Additionally, many young entrepreneurs do not have opportunities to learn from other successful groups or to observe effective practices firsthand.
To address these issues, cross-municipal learning is crucial. It enables young farmers to share experiences, learn new techniques, strengthen marketing skills, and understand the administrative processes required to formalize their businesses. By connecting youth groups with government institutions, financial services, and established entrepreneurs, these initiatives contribute to developing a more supportive and informed ecosystem for youth-led agricultural enterprises.
Oxfam’s Role
Oxfam, together with youth entrepreneur groups in Ermera—Timor-Leste Organic Fertilizer (TILOFE), Ermera Ai-kulat Mutin Organico (EAMO), and Forum Juventude Defisiente Ermera (FJDE)—organized a cross-learning event that brought together youth farmer groups from 12 municipalities. During this four-day program, participants observed practical demonstrations, visited productive groups such as vanilla and fishpond producers, explored agroforestry plots and agrotourism centers, and interacted with micro-credit institutions. These hands-on experiences helped young farmers understand real-world operations and learn new production and processing techniques.
Oxfam also facilitated dialogues between youth groups and key representatives from IADE, SERVE IP, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Tourism, Agriculture, and local authorities. Through these sessions, participants learned how to access business competitions, apply for business licenses, seek soft loans, and participate in training opportunities offered by government institutions. They also received guidance on marketing and social media content creation to promote their products effectively.
Through the HAKFOUN project, Oxfam continues to support youth farmer groups by linking them with decision-makers and showcasing their initiatives at expos in Rabilau Maubessi and RAEOA, Oecusse. Successful youth entrepreneurs are invited to share their journeys, helping inspire participants and offering practical insight into overcoming challenges in the business landscape.
To ensure the growth and long-term success of youth-led agricultural enterprises, broader community support is essential. Stakeholders—including government institutions, private sector actors, civil society, and development partners—are encouraged to invest in youth training, create accessible financing pathways, and open new market opportunities. Individuals can also support by promoting local products, advocating for youth-friendly policies, and sharing knowledge within their networks. Empowering young farmers is not only an investment in their future but also in the future of Timor-Leste’s agricultural resilience.
The cross-learning initiative demonstrates the powerful impact of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and institutional support in strengthening youth entrepreneurship. Through Oxfam and its partners, young farmers are gaining skills, confidence, and opportunities that will help them build sustainable businesses and contribute to local development. With continued support, these youth groups can become catalysts for innovation and positive change, driving a more inclusive and prosperous agricultural sector for Timor-Leste.
About Oxfam in Timor-Leste:
Oxfam in Timor-Leste (OiTL) is part of a global movement that fights against inequality, poverty, and injustice. Oxfam works in more than 60 countries in partnership with over 3,500 organizations to deliver 22 million programmes. Over 50 percent of those working with us are women and girls.
Oxfam has been working with the Timorese people for almost 50 years. We are an organization focused on rights and a leader in our partnership model, to enable our partners to conduct activities in rural communities. One of our objectives is to advance our work to influence development challenges such as land rights and economic diversification.
