Training on field experiment techniques in Timor-Leste
September 27, 2024
The Crawford Fund Northern Territory Committee recently supported a training initiative for fourteen of the most promising agronomy undergraduates from the Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosae (UNTL). The training focused on field experimentation techniques, and was delivered by UNTL and Charles Darwin University (CDU) researchers.
Organised by Dr Leigh Vial, Project Researcher from CDU, the training was formerly opened by the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Rui Gusmão and ACIAR Representation in Timor- Leste, Luis Almeida.
A selfie by Maria Ortiz (a former Tasmanian scholar) with the Crawford Fund training group at Caihula, Baucau.
“The training complements the current UNTL curriculum, and prepares the new cohort of students for their upcoming field experiments with the ACIAR project SLAM-2020-141, ‘Increasing on-farm labour productivity for sustainable production, nutrition and inclusive livelihood gains in Timor-Leste’,” explained Dr Vial.
“The need for this training initiative was identified after the first cohort of UNTL students were involved in the ACIAR project in 2023; both UNTL staff and students felt prior training in field experimentation would have been very beneficial for them,” said Leigh.
The training included sessions on community interaction, field experiment design, conducting the experiment and writing a paper. It also included a half-day on-site at a project location in Baucau, discussing the crop nutrition trials from last year and this year.
CDU Professor Stephen Xu presenting on designing a field experiment (top) and Marcia Exposto e Silva (bottom) leading a discussion about the observed effects of different fertiliser treatments in wet season rice at Caihula, Baucau.
“The students reported gaining important insights from the training for conducting field experiments on-farm, where real-world conditions must be managed and community engaged. Their enthusiasm and insight were clear; they are no doubt going to conduct great work. The undergraduates will build on the important work of the previous undergraduate cohort in 2023, identifying the most limiting nutrients at the project locations, and the response to applying fertiliser,” said Dr Vial.
“This is important work in Timor-Leste, as many communities have little experience with using fertiliser, and wise use of it is a likely way to improve on-farm livelihoods, and self sufficiency and nutrition for Timor-Leste. Young students like this will guide this learning and improvement process for agriculture in future,” he said.
As well as training the next generation of students from Timor-Leste, Maria Ortiz Rodriguez, a previous Crawford Scholar, was included in the CDU team, as a young scientist intending to join SLAM/2020/141 as a CDU postgraduate in livestock and forage systems.
“This training benefits the NT by deepening the relationship with Timor-Leste on agricultural research; for Charles Darwin University and NT government. This is ideal given NT’s geographic proximity and strategic advantage in delivering agricultural research and development outcomes for Timor-Leste,” he said.
“Successful agricultural research and development in Timor-Leste is of great strategic importance for Australia. It is one means for balanced economic growth in a nation with few comparative advantages, and a looming fiscal problem when fossil fuel revenues decline,” he said.
“There is great benefit in deepening the relationship between CDU and UNTL in particular. Cultivating the more talented undergraduate students is a long-sighted act. In time they will be the leading researchers, managers and leaders for Timor-Leste. A stronger connection with CDU, NT and Australia will yield mutual benefits.”
As well as aiding the delivery of ACIAR projects, this training also benefits two DFAT programs – TOMAK and MDF – as those programs make use of the skills and research outputs from the ACIAR projects.
“It has been highly valuable continuity and strategic support as we seek to deepen the relationship between CDU and UNTL in ACIAR project SLAM/2020/141 before the project commenced. This will no doubt have long-term benefits for Timor-Leste agriculture,” concluded Leigh.
