Timor Leste has been facing forest and land degradation since Independence in early 2000. Over more than two decades, dense forests have been degraded, causing further environmental
degradation and increased food insecurity. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) through the Directorate General of Forests, Coffee and Industrial Plants (DGFCIP) in collaboration with
AFoCO cooperated with CIFOR-ICRAF to initiate the development and promotion of agroforestry models in different agroecological zones in Timor-Leste for reforestation and restoration of degraded land. Agroforestry is known as a form of climate-smart agriculture which not only contributes to improved food security but also provides environmental goods and services, such as regulating climate, water retention and soil improvement. Agroforestry as traditionally practised in Timor-Leste is known as kuda haur or mixed planting. However, agroforestry knowledge is not widely understood by decision makers, forestry staff and practitioners in the field.
This manual provides the basic concepts of agroforestry and its principles to develop agroforestry designs useful for technicians and practitioners. It also provides technical information on designing
soil conservation techniques as well as on propagating trees and crops and also governance in implementing agroforestry. We hope that the manual provides insightful information for all relevant actors in expanding agroforestry practices for promoting reforestation and restoration of degraded land in Timor-Leste.