DILI, 11 april 2024 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste’s coffee industry, a keystone of its economy and a vital source of livelihood for nearly 20 percent of households, faces an existential threat due to climate change. A recent assessment report, Climate Change and the competitiveness of Timor-Leste’s coffee, developed by the Australia Pacific Climate Partnership (APCP) in collaboration with the Australian Government-funded Market Development Facility (MDF), sheds light on the imminent challenges facing Timor-Leste’s coffee industry. The assessment aims to equip coffee sector stakeholders and businesses with insights into the potential impacts of climate change and strategies to adapt.
“The Australian Government is pleased to share this vital research, which highlights the impacts on Timor-Leste’s coffee sector caused by climate change, but which also includes practical recommendations to address these challenges,” said the First Secretary Rural Development, Thomas Wooden. “Through our MDF program, we look forward to working with the private sector and Government of Timor-Leste to meet this challenge together to strengthen coffee sector development.”
Despite the country’s negligible contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, the impact of climate change on its coffee sector is projected to be severe, requiring immediate attention and concerted efforts to enhance climate resilience. Arabica coffee, predominantly cultivated by smallholder farmers in the upland high-altitude regions, sustains communities across Timor-Leste. However, with average yields well below the global average and a significant portion of coffee-growing households living below the poverty line, the sector remains vulnerable to external shocks.
Recent steps taken in the coffee sector, guided by the National Coffee Sector Development Plan 2019-2030, offer opportunities for growth and prosperity. Yet, climate change threatens to derail these advancements. Projections indicate a 50 per cent reduction in suitable coffee-growing areas by 2050 under high-emissions scenarios. Rising temperatures, particularly affecting municipalities with limited high-altitude terrain, drive this decline in growing area.
Speaking at the report dissemination event, MDF Country Director Drew Johnson said, “Higher temperatures and unpredictable rainfall are already reducing coffee yields especially at lower elevations. Significant investment is required to build resilience and increase competitiveness.”
To adapt to climate change, better farm management and investment in specialty-grade coffee is recommended for farms above 1,200m. For farmers at lower elevations, diversification strategies, including growing robusta coffee instead of arabica, likely offer better returns due to anticipated declines in yield. The sector can strengthen its ability to adapt to the impact of climate change through investments in researching new coffee varieties that offer greater resistance to higher temperatures and pest/disease, carbon farming, and access to support services such as finance.
President Evangelino Monteiro Soares, Timor Coffee Association (Asosiasaun Café Timor), said, “In light of climate change’s impact on Timor-Leste’s coffee industry, proactive measures are essential. We must collaborate to mitigate risks and ensure sustainable solutions for coffee production. Prioritizing long-term sustainability is crucial, benefiting both the industry and its farmers. Through strategic cooperation, we can secure the future of Timor-Leste’s coffee sector”.
MDF is an Australian Government-funded multi-country initiative that promotes sustainable development in its partner countries. It works with businesses, government, and other organizations to identify and develop profitable and scalable business opportunities that help reduce poverty, empower women economically, and combat climate change. MDF has operated in Timor-Leste since 2013 and currently works in the agriculture and tourism sectors.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
