Celebrating Women Farmers. Mangrove Managers of Timor-Leste’s Coastal Areas

Mangroves serve as a critical frontline defense against climate change by storing significant amounts of blue carbon within ocean and coastal ecosystems. However, in Timor-Leste, these vital areas have suffered a drastic decline from 9,000 hectares to less than 1,300 hectares due to deforestation, overgrazing, and rising sea levels, placing local communities at severe risk. To combat this crisis, Bascoella dos Sananto Silva has emerged as a leader within the Groupu Habilong IAPA, a women-led farmer cooperative dedicated to advancing community stewardship of these coastal environments through active planting and restoration efforts. The importance of mangrove conservation is underscored by the fact that 60% of Timor-Leste's households live along the coast and depend on small-scale fishing for their livelihoods. Since mangroves act as essential breeding grounds for fish, their destruction has forced fishermen to travel much farther from shore in search of a catch, threatening food security. Through targeted community restoration projects, aquatic food sources are returning to these waters, while the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations supports these efforts by establishing learning centers that share technical skills in mangrove management, seedling production, and nursery systems using biodegradable pots. Beyond simple restoration, the cooperative has successfully revived 14 hectares of mangrove forest and launched livelihood projects that link conservation with income generation through agriculture and eco-tourism initiatives. The group operates a nursery to cultivate seedlings for replanting while also selling harvested fish and crabs, creating sustainable economic opportunities for local families. This holistic approach not only rebuilds damaged ecosystems but also empowers women like Bascoella to set a powerful example of successful restoration that can serve as a model for villages across the nation. Inspired by these women leaders, young people such as Anna are joining the movement to protect their environment, with Anna using her skills as a teacher to educate students on coastal conservation. She brings students directly to the mangroves to demonstrate protection methods, gaining personal growth through collaboration and exposure to community activities that benefit both the group and nature. As women like Bascoella continue to share their experiences and knowledge, more coastal communities are expected to flourish, ensuring the preservation of these precious ecosystems for future generations.