NAFOFILA Fundation, publication CS_TL_Joanico Pereria 250225

  NAFOFILA Fundation,  publication CS_TL_Joanico Pereria 250225

  SPRINT                EMPOWERING FARMERS 

   Case Study                    THROUGHBUSINESSSKILLS

    Timor-Leste                           

 Joanico Pereria, a 45-year-old farmer and leader of the horticulture group Debu-leuk, participated in the Business Skills Training held from 18 to 20 November 2024, in Leo-Lima, Hato-Udo in Ainaro Municipality, Timor-Leste. The training, facilitated by NAFOFILA, aimed to equip participants with essential business skills to start and manage successful enterprises, enhance entrepreneurial spirit, and foster networking opportunities among small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs  He expressed his appreciation for the training, emphasizing how it broadened his knowledge of business management. He now feels more confident in ensuring the sustainability of his group’s agricultural activities by integrating key business strategies.

 “Hau sente orgulho tebes ba ONG NAFOFILA, tanba bele oferese ona formasaun kona-ba negósiu nian mai ami, liuhusi formasaun hanesan ne’e mak bele hasa’e hau nia koñesementu tékniku di’ak liután hodi bele jere ami nia produtu sira ho di’ak atu nune’e bele garantia sustentabilidade iha ami nia moris husi agora to ba iha futuru.” 

 KEY LEARNINGS One of the most valuable aspects of the training for Joanico was learning how to transition from traditional farming to a more structured and profitable business model.

 Hau gosta tebes formasaun kona-ba negósiu nian ida ne’e, tamba ida ne’e di’ak tebes mai ami, bele hasa’e ami nia koñesementu liu-liu iha parte negósiu nian. Dala barak ami hatene kuda modo no fa’an produsaun, maibé ami la-hatene oinsá atu jere rendimentu sira ne’ebé ami hetan.”

I really liked this business training because it was very useful for us, increasing our knowledge, especially in the business aspects. Often, we know how to grow vegetables and sell our products, but we don’t know how to manage the income we earn.”) With this new knowledge, Joanico and his team plan to diversify income sources by reinvesting profits and expanding into new business activities within their group. Following the training, Joanico applied the business strategies he learned by introducing better financial management practices, strategic planning, and customer engagement techniques within his horticulture group.

Durante loron tolu hau aprende buat barak tebes husi material sira ne’ebé hau ho kolega sira aprende benefísia tebes mai ami, hanorin ami oinsá atu organiza malu ho di’ak iha grupu nia laran tuir vizaun no misaun ne’ebé ami iha, hodi bele hadi’ak liután ami nia grupu.” (“During the three-day training, I learned a lot from the materials, 

which were very beneficial for us. We were taught how to organize ourselves better in the group, according to our vision and mission, to further improve and strengthen our group.”) He also implemented a structured budgeting system to monitor income and reinvest profits, ensuring long-term financial stability for the group

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK AND SUPPORT NEEDS The impact of the training was immediately felt within the group, with members gaining confidence in business management and strengthening relationships with customers and suppliers. 

“Mudansa ne’ebé ami sente liuhusi formasaun ne’e, maka ami iha ona koñesementu oinsá jere grupu no rekursu sira, liu-liu jestaun negósiu no f inanseiru sira ne’ebé ami hetan liuhusi ami nia produtu. Inklui oinsá harii relasaun di’ak ho kliente ka konsumidór sira.”

The changes we felt through this training are that we now know how to manage our group and resources, especially in business and f inancial management, through our product sales. This includes how to build good relationships with clients and consumers.”) Joanico strongly recommended continued monitoring and additional advanced training sessions, particularly focusing on practical business applications. “Liu husi formasaun sira ne’ebé ami hetan, liga mós ho atividade ne’ebé agora daudaun ami implementa hela hanesan hortikultura nian maka, hau hanesan xefe grupu hakarak fo rekomendasaun ba ONG NAFOFILA presiza halo monitoriza ka audiotoriu ruma ho regular.”'

(“Through the training we received, along with the activities we are currently implementing in horticulture, as the group leader, I would like to recommend that NAFOFILA conduct regular monitoring or evaluation sessions.”) He believes that ongoing mentoring will not only strengthen individual businesses but also enhance overall community resilience by ensuring continuous learning and improvement.

 The training has given Joanico a greater sense of confidence and motivation to lead his group toward long-term success. He now sees business development as a key tool for sustaining agriculture and improving livelihoods.

Liu husi formasaun ne’ebé ami simu ona, ida ne’e di’ak loos tanba hakbi’it ona ami nia koñesementu no abilidade atu nafatin esforsu kuda ami nia ai han hodi produz no faan ba iha merkadu, depois de hetan lukru ami bele kria fila fali grupu ou atividade foun ruma.” (“Through the training we have received, this is very good because it has strengthened our knowledge and ability to continue growing food, producing, and selling it in the market. After making a profit, we can create new groups or business activities again.”

 Looking ahead, Joanico and his team aim to expand their business activities and continue applying the knowledge gained from the training. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning, support, and collaboration in ensuring long term success.

Reflete kona-ba inisiativa harii kapasidade, klaru katak ida-ne’e iha impaktu signifikativu ba hasa’e abilidade no koñesimentu entre partisipante sira.”

Reflecting on the capacity-building initiative, it is clear that it had a significant impact on increasing the skills and knowledge of participants.”) He concluded that with the right training, mentorship, and community collaboration, small businesses can thrive and contribute to overall economic resilience.

 Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) 

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 Contact Information: 

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 Asian Disaster Preparedness Center 

 Email: sisira@adpc.net, sprint@adpc.ne

 The Strengthening Partnerships for Community Resilience in Indonesia and Timor-Leste (SPRINT) project is funded by the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.

April 2023 - March 2025

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 Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)

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