This scoping study will be the precursor to a larger poverty study to be undertaken later in 2012. The study, led by Dr David Carpenter, will adapt the methodology developed during our previous work with ACIAR to an analysis of the poverty reducing impacts of the AusAID/ACIAR-funded Seeds of Life project. ‘Seeds of Life’ (SOL) is a program within the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) in Timor-Leste which aims to increase agricultural biodiversity in Timor Leste while strengthening national seed management systems.
This scoping study has two objectives:
- Objective 1 is to conduct background research on the contextual environment within which SOL operates. This background research will focus on developing an understanding of the economic, social and ecological contexts for agricultural production in Timor-Leste. This research will also include the collation and interpretation of secondary sources of poverty data that can be used to paint a picture of rural poverty in Timor-Leste. It will also involve developing a comprehensive understanding of SOL’s theory of change and the aims and activities of the program over time.
- Objective 2 is to customise the methodology introduced in the previous study of the poverty reducing impacts of SOL in Timor-Leste. This will involve the development of a household survey instrument and qualitative research techniques best suited to the Timor-Leste context, and the testing of these research methods in Timor-Leste with farmers in the field.