More than 2,500 school children, their teachers, and their neighbors in two rural Timor-Leste districts are looking after almost 150,000 young tree seedlings. They are also managing 10 new community-run tree nurseries. They received their training and their trees as part of World Vision's agroforestry pilot project to expand rural economies. The project established nurseries and distributed seedlings to schools and community-based organizations in the western district of Bobonaro and the central district of Aileu.

The initial plantings in the nurseries included 65 different tree species. Among them were fruit and nut trees, shade trees for coffee, fodder trees, trees for windbreaks and slowing fires, and trees for furniture and woodcarving. Because the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries does not yet have its own seed stocks, residents joined World Vision in collecting suitable seeds, sometimes traveling to neighboring districts to find the best trees.

During the project, students, teachers, and interested community members learned a variety of new skills. They can collect seeds, make compost and organic fertilizer, care for seedlings at the nursery, choose a good place for permanent planting, water and weed seedlings, and protect the young trees from livestock. Neighboring communities have already expressed interest in learning the techniques, too.

USAID supported World Vision' 6-month agroforestry pilot project with a grant of $91,500. Seedlings from the new community nurseries will expand the availability of food and forestry products in the communities, support existing agricultural activities, and generate income for residents.

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