A team from the University of Hawaii's Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP) organized a research and training visit to six of its crop trial plots and communities near Baucau. With participants from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), two universities, the Peace Corps, and local communities, the sessions focused on helping farmers better understand how to improve their techniques and earn more income.

During the visits, participants learned how to conduct a participatory rural appraisal. This is a technique that provides facilitation and expertise to farmers so that they can solve their own problems by evaluating and analyzing conditions themselves and then planning and acting accordingly. Team members met with local leaders, explored communities, and then formed small groups to focus on discussions about crops, livestock, and gender-specific issues.

A particularly important issue for the farmers is the invasive South American weed Chromolaena odorata. If left alone to grow, Chromolaena expands its territory quickly, out competing native plants and animals. Farmers near Baucau are using a simple and inexpensive technique to turn the plant pest into green manure, improving their crops and controlling the weed at the same time.

MAFF staff members were enthusiastic participants in the PRA training, which reinforced the idea that agricultural and forestry development programs must start with the farmer rather than with planners in the capital. As the training progressed, MAFF participants took on greater leadership in facilitating the group discussions and exercises. However, farmers were slower to take leadership roles--many still wait for the government to provide tools and materials.

USAID supports the activities of CRSP through its partnership with the University of Hawaii. CRSP works with institutions such as MAFF to improve food security and agricultural practices among targeted farm families. Its training focuses on sustainability and sound soil and natural resource management by transferring information technology; strengthening human and institutional capacities, and providing training, sustainable outreach, and information dissemination programs that support farmers and rural communities.