By GeoInformatics Center (GIC)
Coffee is the most important agricultural cash crop in Timor-Leste, providing income for almost 20% of all households, business opportunities for processors, traders, and retail coffee shop owners, and significant export earnings for the country. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) provides technical assistance to use Earth observation data to monitor coffee plantations in Timor-Leste. The project supports the Government of Timor-Leste in combating poverty, reducing inequalities, and promoting rural development and food security.
To advance this initiative, field surveys were carried out from 17 to 21 February 2025 by the Geo-Informatics Center (GIC) at the Asian Institute of Technology, in collaboration with the Coffee and Agroforestry Livelihood Improvement Project (CALIP) local team. The objective was to update existing data on coffee plantations and forest conditions across six districts—Liquica, Ermera, Ainaro, Manufahi, Aileu, and Bobonaro—building on surveys conducted in 2019 and 2021. The team collected location data, photographs, and plantation characteristics, while drone flights were deployed to capture high-resolution aerial imagery to complement ground-based observations.
Fieldwork and Methodology
Mobile-based Survey123 application was used to accurately record locations of coffee plantations, capture photos, and document key characteristics such as coffee production systems, coffee species, shade tree species, shade tree density, farming conditions, ownership, terrain conditions, and rehabilitation status. Additionally, other land cover types, including forests, shrublands, grasslands, and built-up areas were also collected. To complement ground-based observations, drone surveys were conducted where terrain and conditions allowed, capturing high-resolution aerial imagery of the coffee plantations. This technical approach was further strengthened through collaboration with local stakeholders, facilitating knowledge transfer, and incorporating community perspectives. The team conducted the survey to multiple locations across six districts in Timor-Leste to collect data on coffee plantations and forest conditions.
Liquica, Timor-Leste – 17 February 2025 — The first day began with a meeting in Dili between the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry (MALFF), the Coffee and Agroforestry Livelihood Improvement Project (CALIP) team, the ADB mission team, and the AIT team. Using the Survey123 mobile app and drone technology, teams collected data on coffee production systems, species, shade trees, land ownership, terrain, and rehabilitation status, along with other land cover types. Fieldwork started in Liquica, where the team recorded 10 ground points and captured three drone maps, marking a strong start to the collaborative effort.
Ermera, Timor-Leste – 18 February 2025- The team conducted field validation and drone surveys in Ermera (Site 2). Using the Survey123 mobile application and aerial imagery, they gathered 18 ground points and produced three drone maps to support land use analysis and monitoring efforts.
Ainaro, Timor-Leste – 19 February 2025 – The following day, fieldwork moved to Ainaro, where the team collected 23 ground points and completed another three drone maps. The ADB mission team also visited a local community, where members of the GIC team engaged with coffee farmers to discuss the impact of the CALIP program. Farmers shared feedback on how the program had improved their farming practices and livelihoods. The visit included an on-site inspection of coffee plantations, highlighting contrasts in management before and after CALIP’s rehabilitation support.
Manufahi & Aileu, Timor-Leste – 20 February 2025 —On the fourth day of the national coffee and forest survey, field teams collected data in Manufahi and Aileu districts. In Manufahi, 10 ground points were recorded, with most plantations located along main roads. CALIP staff also identified key coffee-growing communities, including Holarua, Letefoho, and Rotutu. In Aileu, the team gathered 19 ground points and three drone maps, supported by CALIP field coordinators, continuing efforts to document coffee production and land use.
Bobonaro, Timor-Leste – 21 February 2025 — On the last day, fieldwork continued in Bobonaro, the far western district of Timor-Leste, bordering Indonesia. Access to coffee plantations in Bobonaro was challenging due to the very steep terrain and rough road conditions. Nevertheless, a total of 35 ground points were collected and three drone maps with the support of the CALIP field coordinator.
Over the five-day survey, the GIC team collected a total of 115 ground points across six districts. These included 70 points related to coffee plantations, 16 for forests, 10 for croplands, 8 for shrublands, 6 for built-up areas, 3 for grasslands, and 2 from the coffee research center.
To support data visualization and analysis, a web map viewer was developed to display the ground data in near real-time, complete with geotagged photos and attribute information. This tool enhances transparency and accessibility for stakeholders involved in coffee sector planning and land use management.
