‘I am willing to use my skills and help the youth to create their own business because that’s what we need for the development of the country’ says Nilton Antonio Lemos Aniceto, a 42-year-old entrepreneur and youth mentor.

For over ten years, Nilton has been working in the agriculture sector in Timor-Leste, gaining experience with different organisations and strengthening his expertise through various projects. It is this experience that opened Nilton up to the problems that often beset the agriculture chain in Timor-Leste. Nilton observed that there was a substantial lack of educated expertise and information in the agriculture sector, which affects the viability and quality of crops grown in Timor-Leste.

‘In Timor-Leste, basic knowledge of agriculture is a major problem. Knowledge about good agricultural practises is hard to find and rarely shared. This affects how farmers grow crops efficiently and economically. Farmers suffer avoidable losses quite often, due to simply not having enough information.’ He says.

It was with these problems in mind that Nilton decided to quite his job and opened his own business in 2013. Nilton’s business is a one-stop-shop for agriculture needs. At his shop, he provides advice and expertise, sells agriculture materials and products and recommends specific treatments and courses of action for farmers who are experiencing losses due to pests and diseases.

‘At the shop, we focus on educating the farmers about techniques and benefits of using certain agriculture products, and that makes us different. We have links to the municipalities and different farmer groups, and we provide wholesale prices for materials that we sell in Dili. This connects us closer to the people we are trying to help and expands the reach of our farmer networks.’ He says

This interest in educating the future farmers of Timor-Leste, and future generations, led Nilton to the Knua Juventude Fila-Liman Centre. Nilton was invited to attend training sessions at the Knua Centre by his friend, and quickly saw an opportunity for himself to put his knowledge to use. Nilton wanted to become an educator and a youth mentor.

‘I am willing to help the youth so that they can create their own business’ or agriculture projects. It makes sense that I am offering up my expertise and passions, as I am lucky enough to have the skills and knowledge to help them,’ he says.

Considering agriculture as a viable sector is necessary to develop a diversified economy in Timor-Leste beyond oil. Enabling sustainable food and water security for future generations is dependent on an efficient agriculture sector. Improving rural livelihoods is only possible through education. The resilience of rural livelihoods to the effects of climate change and agricultural challenges demands sharing of specialised expertise. Therefore, it is necessary that Timorese youth have leaders like Nilton who are willing to help and educate them.

‘In the youth’s mind, they picture work as something that the Government is to provide. But they only need information to realise that there is a lot of potential inside them to create their own jobs. Agriculture is unique because you are your own boss, you are outside, and you are working with something that you can always make money from. But the youth lack the skills and that’s why they do not know where to start,’ he says.

Nilton participates in events run at the Knua Juventude Fila-Liman Centre and often provides inspirational talks in various trainings. He assists the youth by bringing them to his shop, so that they have an opportunity to do on-site training. These visits allow him to explain not only products, but also teach youths how to effectively run their business.

‘I am really happy with the Knua Centre. We have been looking for a place like this for years. Here, experiences are shared. Now we show youths to use their knowledge as power. Whenever I come to Knua, there are events that focus on teaching youth valuable skills for the future. Knua is a start for changing the mentality for youth in Timor-Leste,’ he states.

Nilton’s shop has employed a range of different people. Through linking with different actors and farmers in many municipalities, he is effectively expanding his reach and continues to educate a variety of agricultural groups in Timor-Leste. Nilton aims to slowly change the mentality in Timor-Leste and inspire youths to be proud of whatever they are passionate about.