Groups of farmers around Timor-Leste are preparing for the arrival of tens of thousands of young vanilla plants, the basis for a cash crop that is helping the new nation establish a broader and more productive agricultural sector.

The farmers are members of the Cooperativa Café Timor (CCT), the largest farmers' cooperative in Timor-Leste. Through the CCT program they are learning the most effective techniques to grown and harvest vanilla beans for the export market. Vanilla is a member of the orchid family and is known as "the orchid of commerce." A worldwide shortage translates into prices of up to US$100 per kilogram (US$45 per pound), and experts predict continued high demand. Encouraged by the opportunity to generate additional income, many farmers are eager to start vanilla production despite the three-year wait between planting and first harvest.

Vanilla can grow up to 80 feet on a host tree, which provides the plant support and shade. As part of the vanilla program, farmers in 15 production areas planted more than 130,000 special host trees in 2000. Now they are ready for the vanilla plants. Earlier this year, CCT imported 40,000 vanilla starts from Flores, Indonesia. Another 40,000 are arriving next month. CCT is also bringing in 10,000 hardened vanilla plants from a biotechnology laboratory in India. Initially, these will be planted in CCT’s nursery in Dili before being distributed to farmers.

CCT introduced vanilla as a crop in Timor-Leste in 1995. A large number of vanilla vines are already producing beans in the Timorese districts of Ermera, Ainaro, Aileu, Liquica, and Dili. As of October 2003, CCT has cured and exported more than 2,000 kilograms (4,400 pounds) of Timor-Leste vanilla. More than 90% of Timor-Leste's vanilla is very high quality and is supplied to some of the world's largest buyers. Timor-Leste vanilla is often used in premium extracts and ice creams.

CCT's vanilla project is funded by USAID and implemented by the U.S.-based National Cooperative Business Association. The project is expanding Timor-Leste's agricultural base, increasing its high-value exports, and generating income for many of its farm families.

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