Taiwan agri officials to visit Phl in Jan

MANILA, Philippines - A delegation from Taiwan composed of agriculture officials, technical experts and potential investors is visiting the country on Jan. 26 to explore various areas of technical collaboration and investment in the agriculture sector.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that during a recent visit to Taiwan, the Philippine delegation composed of agriculture officials were able to observe the functions of agriculture research institutions in the neighboring Asian country among which are the Taiwan Agriculture Research Institute and the Taiwan Agricultural Chemicals and Toxic Substances Research Institute.

The Philippine delegation was also able to visit major trade stations in Taiwan.

“We are looking at their models to see what we can apply,” said Alcala.

“This will be a government delegation but I believe they are also inviting possible investors,” said Alcala.

The Philippine government is promoting possible ventures in the manufacture of animal feeds because of abundant supply of feed grade corn in the country as well as processing of eel meat.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is also working various technical cooperation schemes on biotechnology applications for organic farming and pest control.

“We want to push this program because we need biotechnology in our organic farming. Biotechnology is sometimes misinterpreted in the Philippines. Many believe that crops raised using biotechnology is not organically-grown,” said Alcala.

The Philippines is also interested in Taiwanese technology on growing yellow fin tuna in tanks.

The Taiwanese aquaculture sector also takes pride in raising large quantities of oysters, a high value product.

Alcala said gaining access to Taiwanese oyster growing techniques would contribute to the creation of livelihood in the countryside as this entails low startup capital.

In the crops subsector, the DA is firming up technical cooperation arrangements with Taiwan on production of mushroom, organically-grown papaya and soybeans, and indigenous vegetables.

“Taiwan has very good technologies for these,” said Alcala.

In the livestock subsector, the DA is looking at technical cooperation on production of pork from organically-raised pig.

In return, Taiwan is seeking the country’s assistance for raising water buffalo as its population in Taiwan is dwindling.