Visitors seeking a meaningful and authentic eco-tourism experience in Timor-Leste can learn about sustainable agriculture with a stay at daTerra educational farm in Baucau, just two hours’ drive from the capital, Dili. DaTerra is a social enterprise that has developed the concept of agro-tourism to ensure the project’s sustainability and to serve as a demonstration model for combining sustainable agriculture and ethical tourism. At the heart of the facility is an elevated bungalow inspired by traditional Timorese houses, with some adaptations for visitors, built with local materials. DaTerra started receiving its first local and international guests in 2017, and reinvested the income to build a second traditional hut with two private rooms available as guest accommodation. Maintaining the focus on traditional local materials such as mud, rice straw, and sand, they also built a barbecue and are planning to add a pizza and bread oven to prepare food for guests.
Farm, Nursery and Seed Bank
DaTerra runs a varied plant and tree nursery as well as a seed bank with over 200 species, making it probably the biggest seed bank in the country. The farm is also an educational facility, providing tours for schools and other entities while at the same time working as a research and permaculture demonstration site for developing local seeds and adapting other beneficial heirloom varieties.
DaTerra embraces projects on Education for Sustainable Development — an educational vision that aims to balance both human and economic well-being, in harmony with cultural traditions and with respect for the planet’s natural resources. The main goal is to reconnect with nature, creating spaces that bring one’s true nature into full potential and strengthening relationships with all beings.
In a permaculture design, different elements are displayed in an integrated way, combining diverse aspects such as:
- Animal raising systems
- Worms and dry composting
- Tree and plant propagation at the nursery
- Seed saving
- Fish farming and water management
Community Tourism and Excursions
Through a deep approach to sustainability, DaTerra encourages active participation as a fundamental aspect of creating truly healthy communities. Working with the local community, DaTerra has started:
- Local boat trips for dolphin and whale watching
- Traditional deep-sea fishing
- Exploration of secluded beaches
They plan to extend their partnership network to attract visitors to natural wonders such as waterfalls, lakes, caves, and mountains in the region. Current guided excursions include:
| Destination | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Mount Matebian (from Quelicai or Baguia) | Summit views, lush forest scenery |
| Mundo Perdido (“Lost World”) | Stunning panoramas, dense forest |
| Venilale hot springs | Natural thermal pools |
| Laga waterfalls | Spectacular cascades |
Excursions are offered at different difficulty levels depending on visitors’ physical condition. Meals during hikes are provided either at natural beauty spots or in nearby social projects such as orphanages, religious communities, or local households, to support the local economy.
Cultural and Agricultural Tourism
Throughout years of working with local communities across Baucau municipality, short training courses have been provided to encourage the combination of agricultural activities with tourism. Participating communities promote local natural attractions and can offer accommodation and traditional food from their gardens.
Seasonal agricultural events — including rice and corn planting and harvesting — are developed into tourism attractions through festivals that provide unique experiences while encouraging the practice of ancient songs and dances across generations.
DaTerra’s core belief is that presenting low-budget, ethical tourism examples is essential to inspire young people to return to their home towns and start small tourism businesses. The aim is to:
- Promote local traditions and cultural heritage
- Highlight surrounding natural attractions
- Generate employment for local people
- Support the local market
- Reinforce the importance of preserving culture and natural resources through intergenerational knowledge sharing
Education and Community Impact
The educational farm provides free school tours for students and teachers, promoting environmental education, sustainable agriculture, and agro-tourism. Since daTerra began promoting its activities on social media, the farm has become a tourism attraction for members of the Baucau community, including young people, health workers, and local police and military.
To date, over 3,500 individuals have visited the farm, including:
- 700 school students
- 150 local teachers
- Government officials
- International organisations
- Former Timor-Leste President and Nobel Peace Laureate Dr José Ramos-Horta
“It has been really uplifting to see local guests getting inspired with the concept and willing to do something similar back in their home towns. Whilst the farm provides a deeper connection with nature and sustainable living, visitors can also realise the direct link between the land, the products and the food in the plate.”
— Fernando Madeira, DaTerra Founder and Project Manager
Sprouting Seeds Project and Recovery
Through its “Sprouting Seeds” project, DaTerra has been establishing sustainable agriculture demonstration sites and collaborating with local farmers by providing training in sustainable agricultural practices and agro-tourism, as well as distributing tree seedlings. Since 2011, the nursery has provided over 1,500 fruit trees and other varieties to surrounding communities every year.
DaTerra faced significant setbacks due to Covid-19-related restrictions, and the nursery was badly damaged during the catastrophic floods of April 2021. To repair the facilities and become more independent in tree distribution and material collection, the project launched a fundraising campaign under the motto “A Tree For A Dollar”, aiming to distribute and plant 20,000 trees and raise $20,000.
At present, DaTerra has around 10,000 tree seedlings growing in its nurseries:
| Species | Quantity | Key Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Spinach Tree (Moringa oleifera) | 5,000 | Drought-resilient, highly nutritious, grows from sea level to mountains |
| Neem Tree | 5,000 | Medicinal properties, natural pesticide, grows to 1,200 m altitude |
For more information, visit: www.daterratimor.org
Source: DaTerra. All photographs copyright DaTerra.