A rapid improvement in food production, food security and farm incomes is a pressing national priority and Government of Timor Leste has been directing considerable resources to this objective. However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has previously lacked the capability to work effectively with farmers. Part of the Government’s strategic response to the food security challenge has been to establish a new agricultural extension system with the capacity to provide support and encouragement to farmers in all parts of the country.

This document gives an overview of the development of extension in Timor Leste as well as key policy issues.

This Agricultural Extension MAnual is built on the Agricultural Extension Policy and Strategy for Timor-Leste and serves three purposes: (1) It guides agricultural extensionists and coordinators during planning and field level implementation of agricultural extension activities. (2) It gives guidance to representatives on national and district levels as to their supportive roles in the development of agricultural extension contents. (3) It serves as reference for agricultural extension personnel of donor funded programs, local NGOs, and INGOs working in agricultural extension in Timor-Leste.