Our Work

SETTING FOUNDATIONS

TOMAK is supporting farming families to live more prosperous and sustainable lives. To do this, we are using a range of approaches that aim to:

  • establish a foundation of food security and good nutrition for targeted rural households; and
  • build household capacity to confidently and ably engage in agricultural markets by promoting development of selected agricultural value chains.

The target area for the first phase of TOMAK includes 66 suku (villages) located in inland areas of Timor-Leste with reasonable agricultural potential. These suku are located in 3 municipalities – Bobonaro, Baucau and Viqueque. 

TOMAK is working with partners and communities to improve productivity, diversity and safe storage of food products, as well as promoting appropriate nutrition for all age groups. These activities are based on a wealth of existing data as well as TOMAK research into farming production patterns, household consumption across seasons and years, and the factors which drive food choices. 

Over the next 5 years, TOMAK will build up knowledge of feeding and caring practices necessary to improve nutritional status. Dietary diversity can combat lack of knowledge about nutrition, the high prevalence of anaemia (particularly among women), and the percentage of the population who are underweight.

A second focus is the development of viable value chains that are most likely to provide economic benefits at the local level, through sustainable engagement with markets and improved production.

Through multiple partnerships with government and local actors, TOMAK aims to increase household income from farming, establish effective linkages with market players, and deliver equitable benefits for both women and men. 

TOMAK and its partners are working closely to integrate gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in all aspects of this program.

TOMAK PRINCIPLES

Making Markets Work for the Poor
TOMAK draws on the Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) methodology, which seeks to change the way markets work so that disadvantaged communities are included in the process and benefits of economic development. TOMAK is working closely with market players to ensure change in market systems that will last long after the program is completed.
Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture
TOMAK has adopted Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture (NSA) approaches to maximise nutrition outcomes from its value chain activities. Concurrently, TOMAK is supporting social behaviour change communication activities to influence the way families and communities consume nutritious foods.
Gender Equality and Women's Economic Empowerment
Gender equality is at the heart of TOMAK and critical to its success. TOMAK has established a specialised team to help integrate gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and other elements of social inclusion across the whole program.