Transfer of knowledge for food security and climate change adaptation.
Peter Marra / 2019
Peter Marra learned to cultivate Quinoa in Peru in 2013 and later experimented cultivating it in New Zealand and has undertaken research into varieties of Quinoa that could be adapted into Timor Leste's various microclimates. He began preliminary discussions with a technical advisor to the Minister of Agriculture Timor in November 2018 regarding a proposed pilot of Quinoa cultivation in Timor Leste. He is returning to Timor Leste in July 2019 with the aim to gain formal approval for a pilot to begin in March/April 2020. He is seeking collaboration and the umbrella of NGOs who work with small farmers. As well as financial backers for a pilot of organic Quinoa (cultivating seeds sourced from Peru) based on principles of agroecology with the aim to enhance Timor Leste agrobiodiversity, Nutritional diversity and potentially small farmer livelihoods.
What is Quinoa
Botanical name Chenopodium quinoa. Quinoa has been cultivated for thousands of years in the Andes of South America. Unlike wheat and rice it is not a grass but an annual high protein flowering seed plant that is botanically related to spinach and Amaranth.
Characteristics
Quinoa is the only plant food that contains all the essential amino acids, trace elements and vitamins and contains no gluten( 15 – 20 percent protein ,8 amino acids). Furthermore, the crop has a remarkable adaptability to different agro-ecological regions. It can grow at relative humidity from 40% to 88%, and withstands temperatures from -4 ° C to 38 ° C. It is a highly water efficient plant, is tolerant and resistant to lack of soil moisture, and produces acceptable yields with rainfall of 100 to 200 mm (FAO) Quinoa cooks faster than rice However Quinoa is currently imported into Timor Leste and retails for a crazy $10 -$15 a kilo.
Why is it time to seriously consider a pilot of Quinoa cultivation in Timor Leste.
The population of Timor-Leste is expected to triple from 1.2 million in 2013 up to 3 million by 2050, putting pressure on available resources and food consumption (Molyneux et al, 2013, p 823). In Timor-Leste, 49.9 percent of the population is presently below the national poverty rate with the average per capita income being $5446 per year (Asian Development Bank, 2017, p. 1). Eighty percent of the population are engaged in agriculture (Corrie, et al, 2009, February, p. 1) with Timor-Leste’s farmers plagued by a hunger season from October to March each year (Marino, 2014). This occurs because farmers have sold or eaten their previous crops and are waiting for their new crops to grow to be harvested in March or April (Levy, 2016). Due to this hunger season, Timor-Leste is ranked fourth worst in the world in the Global Hunger Index (Campbell, 2013).
Even though Timor Leste grows some rice It is mostly imported from Vietnam and Thailand (WFP) Quinoa cooks faster than Rice and has a lot more nutrients with 15 to 20 percent protein 8 amino acids and is drought resistant which can potentially provide another source of protein while helping Timorese small farmers adapt to climate change .
A pilot of Quinoa cultivation in Timor Leste also has the potential to increase participating small farmer livelihoods if a pilot is successful. As Quinoa has one of highest market values of any grains or puedograins. Quinoa is currently imported into Timor Leste and sold in Supermarkets for up to $15 kilo to a niche market of expats and middle-class Timorese.
In 2020 the best season to pilot Quinoa would be March to April 2020. As this is towards the end of the rainy season and the soil moisture content could promote good growth in the right conditions. Quinoa for the last months of its growth prefers a more dry climate for seed harvest. Thus by starting a pilot cultivation in March April it will be ready for harvest before the beginning of the wet season .Collaborating with NGOs who work with small farmers based on agroecology principles respecting Timorese culture will be vital for a Pilot of Quinoa cultivation in Timor Leste.
Peter Marra previously conducted Master research about food security, nutritional diversity and climate change adaptation in PERMATIL Agroecology garden Schools in Timor Leste in 2017. His research found the impact of PERMATIL Agroecology garden Schools transforms a schoolyard into a green laboratory for students to learn about nutrition and mathematics Transferring gardening and nutrition knowledge back into the community .However he found this innovative programme was underfunded The research identified access to water tanks and drip feed irrigation were needed to improve Garden school and community garden implementation As well as buffalo proof fencing to prevent wondering Buffalos and large animals from eating produce.
He is currently organising a Quinoa Food tasting event to take place at Pro Ema Ristorante and cooking school in July Dili Timor Leste with a theme of South America meets Timor Leste. To gain feedback from Timor Leste nationals weather they like the taste of Quinoa and weather NGO.s who work with small farmers would support a pilot of Quinoa cultivation in Timor Leste .
Even though Timor Leste grows some rice It is mostly imported from Vietnam and Thailand (WFP) Quinoa cooks faster than Rice and has a lot more nutrients with 15 to 20 percent protein 8 amino acids and is drought resistant which can potentially provide another source of protein while helping Timorese small farmers adapt to climate change .
A pilot of Quinoa cultivation in Timor Leste also has the potential to increase participating small farmer livelihoods if a pilot is successful. As Quinoa has one of highest market values of any grains or puedograins. Quinoa is currently imported into Timor Leste and sold in Supermarkets for up to $15 kilo to a niche market of expats and middle-class Timorese.
In 2020 the best season to pilot Quinoa would be March to April 2020. As this is towards the end of the rainy season and the soil moisture content could promote good growth in the right conditions. Quinoa for the last months of its growth prefers a more dry climate for seed harvest. Thus by starting a pilot cultivation in March April it will be ready for harvest before the beginning of the wet season .Collaborating with NGOs who work with small farmers based on agroecology principles respecting Timorese culture will be vital for a Pilot of Quinoa cultivation in Timor Leste.
Peter Marra previously conducted Master research about food security, nutritional diversity and climate change adaptation in PERMATIL Agroecology garden Schools in Timor Leste in 2017. His research found the impact of PERMATIL Agroecology garden Schools transforms a schoolyard into a green laboratory for students to learn about nutrition and mathematics Transferring gardening and nutrition knowledge back into the community .However he found this innovative programme was underfunded The research identified access to water tanks and drip feed irrigation were needed to improve Garden school and community garden implementation As well as buffalo proof fencing to prevent wondering Buffalos and large animals from eating produce.
He is currently organising a Quinoa Food tasting event to take place at Pro Ema Ristorante and cooking school in July Dili Timor Leste with a theme of South America meets Timor Leste. To gain feedback from Timor Leste nationals weather they like the taste of Quinoa and weather NGO.s who work with small farmers would support a pilot of Quinoa cultivation in Timor Leste .
Projects: Began discussion with the Ministry of Agriculture Timor Leste for a proposed pilot to introduce high protein drought resistant Quinoa into Timor Leste to increase food diversity and potentially increase small farmers’ livelihoods.
Invitation to work with Timorese NGOs in Timor Leste to facilitate PV MSC 2019.
Invitation to work with Timorese NGOs in Timor Leste to facilitate PV MSC 2019.