National Coffee Sector Development Plan, 2019-2030.

The National Coffee Sector Development Plan of Timor-Leste (2019–2030) aims to transform the coffee sector into a sustainable, productive, and profitable industry contributing to improved livelihoods, food security, and national economic growth. The plan responds to key structural challenges, including low productivity, aging coffee plantations, limited research and extension services, inconsistent quality, weak value addition, and inefficient market systems. It highlights the central role of coffee as the country’s main agricultural export and a primary income source for rural households, emphasizing the need to address poverty among smallholder producers through increased productivity, improved quality, and better integration into higher-value markets. To achieve these objectives, the plan adopts a comprehensive value chain approach organized around six strategic focus areas: research and development; production and productivity; quality improvement and value addition; market access and promotion; domestic consumption and coffee tourism; and sector management and coordination. Key interventions include rehabilitation of aging plantations, promotion of good agricultural practices, strengthening of extension services, development of quality standards and certification schemes, and improved market linkages. The plan also stresses environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation (including soil, water, and agroforestry management), and social inclusion, particularly support for smallholders and greater participation of women.