DILI, 25 September 2025 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Office of the Vice Prime Minister for Social Affairs, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and development partners, today launched the Holistic Agriculture, Food and Nutrition (HAFOUN) Report – a cost-benefit analysis that identifies nine high-return interventions to strengthen food security, nutrition, and livelihoods across the country.
Developed through extensive consultations with over 100 stakeholders, the report is grounded in an independent assessment conducted by Mettalytics, a global consultancy specializing in evidence-based cost-benefit analysis for food security, nutrition, and development. This independent perspective ensures that the evidence and recommendations reflect rigorous, impartial analysis. The report emphasizes the importance of investing in agriculture- and nutrition-sensitive social protection to break the cycle of hunger and poverty, providing a roadmap to scale up interventions that could improve household nutrition, increase farmer incomes, and contribute to long-term sustainable development.
The report highlights that if the interventions are scaled up, Timor-Leste could see significant improvements in agricultural productivity and food security: rice, maize, and horticulture yields could increase by approximately 60%; coffee production could double; and key export crops, such as vanilla and pepper, could expand. These efforts have the potential to generate $133 million in annual farm profits for 190,000 families, raise agri-business revenues by $14 million, and reduce food insecurity from 42% to 29%. Improved nutrition and food access are also projected to potentially lower child mortality by 15% and stunting by 12%.
Mariano “Assanami” Sabino Lopes, Vice Prime Minister for Social Affairs, emphasized the report’s significance, stating:
“This report is more than numbers – it is about people, their dignity, and their future. Our commitment is clear: from the womb to the tomb, every Timorese must have the right to adequate food and nutrition.”
The launch brought together representatives from the Government of Timor-Leste, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector, and development partners. Participants emphasized the crucial role of strategic investments in food security and nutrition in achieving national priorities and accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Jacqueline de Groot, WFP Country Representative in Timor-Leste, welcomed the report as a milestone in evidence-based policymaking:
“This analysis equips decision-makers with the tools to channel resources where they will have the greatest impact. By prioritizing these interventions, Timor-Leste can make measurable progress in reducing malnutrition and strengthening resilience.”
The HAFOUN Report, prepared with WFP’s technical support and based on Mettalytics’ independent assessment, builds on WFP’s global expertise in cost-benefit analysis. It is part of a broader agenda to ensure that every investment in food systems contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity. The findings will also inform ongoing regional and global dialogues, including the Global Task Force on Social Protection for Nutrition.
The Holistic Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Interventions for Timor-Leste (HAFOUN) Report shows that scaling up nine key interventions could transform daily life in Timor-Leste, potentially reducing child mortality and stunting, cutting food insecurity from 42% to 29%, and generating $770 million in net benefits that directly strengthen farming families and communities.
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