Agricultural extension workers around Timor-Leste are learning how to help farmers test their soils. Field extension agents from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) are attending workshops that will improve their soils sampling and analysis techniques.

In a series of workshops run by specialists from the University of Hawaii's Soil Management Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP), extension workers learn about the CRSP soils fertility kit. They collect soils samples in the field and analyze them for acidity (pH) and levels of basic soil nutrient, including ammonium (NH4), nitrate (NO3), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). This is the first step in determining soil nutrient deficiencies and helps extension workers make recommendations to farmer on ways to improve their soils for efficient, profitable crop production.

The CRSP soils fertility kit is portable and enables diagnosis of soil fertility problems in the field. This is a great benefit to extension workers, who can advise farmers more effectively about crop selection and provide immediate answers to their soils questions.

CRSP held the first of its workshops in September at the Don Bosco Technical School run by Father Locatelli in Fatumaca, Baucau district. Another 22 MAFF staff members from 10 of Timor-Leste's 13 districts attended an October workshop in Oecussi. Future training sessions will target staff members at selected agricultural NGOs. These sessions will coincide with the crop field trials by the University of Hawaii in Baucau district. Two staff members of MAFF's Crop Production Division also attended soils testing training in Bangkok recently, a trip sponsored by CRSP. Another MAFF staff member is planning to train extension workers in Mozambique in 2004.

As an implementing partner in USAID's economic growth program, the University of Hawaii is working to improve food security and agricultural practices in Timor-Leste. Its CRSP team focuses on increasing agricultural production, forestry, economic development, and watershed management.