It would have been difficult to tell during the days of Indonesian rule in Timor-Leste that someday the coffee sector might be a great example of how an enterprise – or a country – can move along its journey to self-reliance. But on March 19, Timor-Leste and the United States marked an important milestone after 20-plus years as the last U.S. coffee support project ended.

U.S. representatives marked the end of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Development Project, which supported Cooperativa Café Timor and the National Cooperative Business Association. U. S. Ambassador Kathleen M. Fitzpatrick and USAID Mission Director Diana B. Putman joined CCT and USDA staff from Jakarta and Washington for ceremonies, which included visits by some to two farms in Aileu Municipality growing coffee, cloves, vanilla and black pepper. The dignitaries planted vanilla and clove seedlings while out in the field.