Characterization of agricultural productivity factors in the municipalities of Aileu, Ainaro and Covalima, Timor-Leste

Abstract

The study aims to characterize agricultural productivity factors, such as production support factors and the main agricultural productivity factors. This study was carried out in the municipalities of Aileu, Ainaro and Covalima and lasted for 3 months, from August to October 2021 and used the survey method and the intentional sampling method to determine the research sites. To determine the sample size, the Slovin method was used and the interviews were based on elaborate questionnaires. The variables observed are the production support factors and the main agricultural productivity factors. The results revealed that the average age of respondents was between 42.12 and 48.06 years, with experience ranging from 15.65 to 24.18 years. The level of schooling of respondents varies between the three municipalities and minimum total agricultural areas of 0.20 ha and maximum of 11 ha, with average operational areas between 0.75 and 1.98 ha, and abandoned areas between 0.81 and 1.97 ha per respondent. The largest production of rice and corn occurs in the municipality of Covalima and the smallest in the municipality of Aileu. About 65 to 85% of farmers finance their productive activities on their own, and the workforce of 3 to 6 people per family. The frequency of agricultural productivity varies among the three municipalities. In the municipality of Covalima, production takes place twice a year, and in the municipalities of Aileu and Ainaro, once a year. The most used production systems are conventional systems in rice and maize production and extensive systems in animal production. The result also showed that there is less interest from parents in encouraging young people to continue to cultivate in the future. The sales regime for agricultural products varies according to market access and the arrival of the buyer at the place of production.