The document outlines Timor-Leste's national aquaculture strategy from 2012-2030. The strategy aims to (1) contribute to food and income security through expanding aquaculture, (2) increase annual per capita fish consumption from the current 6.1kg to 15kg by 2030, and (3) bridge the future fish demand-supply gap. Key elements of the strategy include identifying suitable zones for aquaculture, improving yields, strengthening the National Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture's capacity, and developing sustainable partnerships between stakeholders. The strategy implementation is a priority led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries with support from donors, NGOs, and the private sector.

1. Jharendu Pant, Julio da Cruz and
Shakuntala Thilsted
5 March 2013, Dili, Timor-Leste

2. Outline:
1. Fish and human nutrition & health:
1.1 fish in diet – why?
1.2 why focus on women and young children?
2. The Challenge: Combating poverty and malnutrition
3. Aquaculture development strategy: Where we are?
3.1 preparation process
3.2 key elements
3.3 implementation

3. 1. Fish and Human Nutrition & Health
1.1 Fish in diet – why?
irreplaceable animal-source food:
– rich source of multiple nutrients
– animal protein (all fish)
– essential fats (eg Omega-3 fatty
acids – some marine &freshwater
fish)
– small fish – eaten whole (with
head, bones, viscera ) rich in
essential micronutrients; e.g.
Vitamin A, Iron, Zinc, Calcium
(with high bioavailability)
– enhances bioavailability of Iron
and Zinc from ALL foods in the
meal

4. 1.2 Why focus on women and children?
– first 1000 days of life:
• 9 months : pregnancy
• 0-6 months: lactation (exclusive
breastfeeding)
• 6-24 months: complementary feeding
+ breastfeeding
– good nutrition on first 1000 days:
window of opportunity:
• brain development / better cognitive
power
• learning and school performance
• work performance
• immunity against diseases
• individual and national development

5. 2. The Challenge: Combating poverty and malnutrition
• around half of the children in the
Timor-Leste are deprived of diet
with balanced nutrition
• malnutrition among children under
5 years estimated as:
– Underweight: 45%
– Stunted: 54%
– Wasting: 25%
(WFP, 2010)
5

6. The challenge…
– carbohydrate as major
calories source (maize, rice,
cassava, taro, yam, banana…)
– animal source food eaten
only occasionally:
• Beef and pork – very
expensive; only for special
occasions
• Chicken – also an expensive
item
• Fish – relatively expensive
but limited availability in
the uplands
6

7. The challenge…
• per capita annual fish
consumption:
– Timor-Leste: 6.1 kg (RFLP/FAO
2011)
– Global average: 17.8 kg (FAO,
2012)
[Timor-Leste Strategic
Development Plan (2011-2030)
aims at achieving the goal of
‘FOOD SECURITY BY 2020’]
7

8. The challenge…
• Per capita fish consumption
target?
– To reach closer to Global
average, TL needs a fish supply
of: 30,000 t by 2030
– Current fish annual supply:
• capture fisheries: 3,200 t
(FAO, 2007)
• aquaculture: 46t (NDFA,
2010)
8

9. The challenge…
• Challenge: bridging future
fish demand-supply gap
• a coordinated approach vital
to realizing the goal of
achieving food and nutrition
security (Comoro
Declaration, 2010)
9

10. 3. National aquaculture strategy (2012 -2030):
Where we are?
3.1 Preparation process:
• NDFA – WorldFish meeting in
November 2010 emphasized
the need for a National
Aquaculture Development
Strategy
• a Framework for the
strategy development
prepared
• process supported by
WorldFish, RFLP/FAO and
CTSP
10

11. preparation process…
• analyses of current situation
of aquaculture in Timor-
Leste
• review of secondary
data/information (review of
key policy/strategy
documents)
• field visits and consultations
with local stakeholders:
– East: Manatuto, Baucau,
Viqueque,
– South: Aileu and Manufahi
– West: Liquica, Ermera,
Bobonaro
11

12. preparation process…
• stakeholders‘ Consultations in Dili
(for drafting of strategy)
– DFOs, farmers and Farmers’ groups,
Hatchery officers
– Line Government Ministries/
Departments; I/NGOs; Development
Partners
• final draft presented to the
stakeholders in Dili (February
2012)
• adopted as interim strategy
document by MAF
• presently in process of getting
approval by the Government
12

13. 3.2 Timor-Leste aquaculture
development strategy: Key
elements

14. Key elements..
Goal: contribute to food and income through
expansion and intensification of aquaculture
Guiding principles:
– Aquaculture development in Timor-Leste is centered on the country’s goal of
addressing the problem of chronic food insecurity and malnutrition;
– The National Aquaculture Development Strategy is in harmony with the Timor-
Leste Strategic Development Plan (2011-2030), and will be implemented in
three phases: short (2012-2015); medium (2016 – 2020) and long term (2021 -
2030)
– Development of sustainable aquaculture will be through an ecosystem approach,
taking account technical, social, economic and environmental aspects
– The strategy envisions a coordinated approach with joint ventures between the
government, local communities, International/National Non-governmental
Organizations (I/NGOs), the private sector, and development partners being
critical components to realize success.
•
14

15. impact area and indicators
Impact area Indicators (by 2030)
Food 12,000 t from aquaculture
Consumption 15 kg/capita/year
Households 40,000
Nutrition Fish in diets
Governance Institutional capacity for
management and development

16. • major outcome areas
1) identification of suitable agro-
ecological zones for aquaculture
development
2) aquaculture yields improved in
existing and new ponds
3) NDFA institutional capacity
4) sustainable supply of inputs (seed,
feed)
5) aquaculture product markets
functioning

17. Major outcome areas contd…
6) aquaculture contributes to
improving food and nutrition
security
7) functioning partnerships between
GOs/NGOs, communities, the
private sector and donors
8) aquaculture farmers’ groups and
cooperatives
9) policy environment suited to
aquaculture

18. 3.3 Implementation:
supporting NDFA to implement the
strategy vital:
• Need for a strong partnerships:
(government, donors, I/NGOs,
private sectors, producers)

19. – implementation of strategy –
priority MAF
– New Zealand funding support
(upcoming) for
implementation of strategy:
• inception & implementation
phases
• NDFA, WorldFish, NIWA as
major partners
• Other partners (I/NGOs)
– growing interest among I/NGOs
– aquaculture as livelihood
diversification options
19

20. – private sectors’ interests
– rapidly developing
infrastructure & services
– buoyant market
• School meal programs
• Supplementary feeding
programs (women & children)
• Household food and nutrition
security
• Local and Dili market
20

21. 21

22. Contact:
Julio da Cruz
National Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
Dili, Timor- Leste
dacruz.julio@yahoo.com
Jharendu Pant
WorldFish, Penang Malaysia
j.pant@cgiar.org
22