2018 ASHS Annual Conference

During the past two years, small-acreage growers on the tropical and mountainous island nation of Timor-Leste have initiated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) production as a potential market for fresh, locally-grown berries, and to increase grower profitability and sustainability. Strawberries are a cool weather crop requiring relatively colder temperatures to increase plant growth, crown production and subsequent berry yield. In tropical Timor-Leste, therefore, strawberry production can only succeed at high elevations (1,000 – 1,500 m). Strawberries are currently produced in high tunnels, greenhouses, and open fields. However, growers have had little country-appropriate production information to aid their pursuits. Accordingly, a project funded by USAID (known as the USAID’s Avansa Agrikultura Project) in collaboration with Cardno Emerging Markets USA and the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M University was initiated to produce a strawberry production manual, as well as train district agricultural agents in strawberry production. Travel to Timor-Leste by the senior author occurred during Aug 15 – 30, 2017 to visit producers, document their needs and production issues, diagnose crop, and field problems, and create the production manual. The assessment indicated that strawberry growers in Timor-Leste are capable of quality and profitable production; however, a lack of basic production knowledge, sufficient growing experience, and significant crop issues limiting high production were observed. Currently, common leaf spot (Mycosphaerellea fragariae) is an increasing concern. Results of the visit were summarized, district agents trained and recommendations for country-appropriate techniques were developed and published in the USAID’s Avansa Agrikultura Project booklet titled: Strawberry Production in Timor-Leste: Good Agricultural Practices Manual. Overall results of the in-country assessment and publication of the manual will be summarized and presented.