USAID’s Avansa Agrikultura Project aims to encourage the sustainability of and ultimately the increased development of the horticulture value chain in Timor-Leste.  However, sustainability can only be achieved if young people become actively involved in the agriculture sector.  USAID’s Avansa Agrikultura Project is working to promote agriculture activities among young people living in Aileu, Ainaro, Bobonaro, Ermera and Dili.  As part of this initiative USAID’s Avansa Agrikulura Project has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office of the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports which solidifies the collaboration and cooperation, and highlights their strong shared interest, to work together on promoting the agriculture sector among youth.  

Mission Director John Seong stated, “USAID is pleased to collaborate with the Office of the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports to help increase the participation of youth in the horticulture sector. The youth are the future of the country and the inclusion of youth in any economic activities is a must for the country’s long-term development.”

The aim of this collaboration is to further expand the working partnership between the two parties concerning increasing youth participation in the agriculture sector.  Moving forward USAID’s Avansa Agrikultura Project and the Office of the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports will host the First Youth in Agriculture Conference in Timor-Leste, which will coincide with the International Day of Youth.  The parties will be responsible for developing and implementing an action plan following the conference in order to develop appropriate youth-based approaches within the horticulture value chain.  Also included in the MoU are stipulations for activities to support youth centers in the project’s targeted areas.  This will include supporting existing youth groups, as well as forming new ones as necessary, training on sustainable agriculture practices, agri-business management training, and financial literacy.  The project will also work with select groups who wish to develop agribusinesses. 

‘The future farmers of Timor-Leste need to be given hope and need to see for themselves, that agriculture and horticulture can be both profitable and honorable as business career paths to follow.  The movement of families and youth to the cities creates social pressures in the cities and food security problems for the country.  Opportunities abound for young people to make a good living from the growing of crops for local and export markets.  It is time for youth to seize the day and take up the agriculture challenge.’  Nic Richards COP Avansa Agrikultura Project.  Therefore, it is imperative to capture the interest of young people in this sector as they are the future for sustainability.  This joint initiative between USAID’s Avansa Agrikultura Project and the Office of the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports highlights the importance of youth development not only for these two parties but for the Government of Timor-Leste, the United States of America, and the people of Timor-Leste.