In order to foster Taiwan’s agricultural development as well as international agricultural exchange, the Council of Agriculture(COA) launched the Indonesian Young Farmer Internship Program in Taiwan.  The interns are expected to strengthen the practical ability of agricultural management and absorb the knowledge and experience of agriculture through Learning by doing in host farms, which provide basic allowance, facilities of the dorm and life care management. The first group of 53 Indonesian farmers arrived in Taiwan on Sept. 22, and are scheduled to receive orientation on life in Taiwan and other farming courses from Sept. 23 to 27, after which they would begin their new internship life in Taiwan at their respective host farms. In a press conference on Sept. 27, COA Minister Chen Chi-Chung initiated the said program and announced that this program is just a start, for many future cooperation with New Southbound Policy target countries.

The first group of interns begins internship

The COA stated that Ministry of Agriculture(MOA), Indonesia hand-picked 53 interns who have an average age of 23 and are high school or vocational school graduates, possess practical field experiences in farming. They have completed a 2-week orientation training at the Center for Agricultural Training (BBPP) Lembang, and have been checked for health and basic Mandarin proficiency by Indonesian officials. The COA has already selected 45 suitable host farms and matched them to respective interns according to their respective field of agriculture and internship objectives. The internship would have a maximum period of 1 year; however, those who pass  agricultural skill aptitude test at the end of their internship are allowed to extend the internship for an extra 1 year.

Post-arrival training assist young farmers to adapt internship

The COA pointed out that in order to help these young farmers to adapt more quickly to the lifestyle, customs, and agricultural production in Taiwan, the 1st batch of interns would undergo a 5-day post-arrival training from Sept. 23 to 27 at the Tsou-Ma-Lai Farm in Tainan. The training includes topics on Taiwanese folklore, everyday life laws and regulations, and mandarin. COA’s Agricultural Research and Extension Stations introduced Taiwan’s crops and gave lectures on the cultivation of rice, grains, vegetables and fruits in Taiwan. The COA also arranged pomelo tasting among other fun activities for these young Indonesian farmers to better understand Taiwan’s agriculture and experience our farm culture.

The COA stated that in order to ensure the quality of internship and to protect the interns’ interests, a complete internship host farm review and management mechanism has been implemented, which would oversee the administration of internship personnel and provide assistance as well as counseling services. Moreover, local farmers associations are tasked with monthly visits to these interns so as to make sure that they are provided with proper assistance and services. The COA wishes to extend its gratitude towards relevant institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MOFA) and the Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Indonesia(TETO) for the support and assistance. The said program is a milestone in New Southbound talent exchange policy. The COA strives to keep this program running, and further fosters Taiwanese-Indonesian agricultural talent exchange and the development of agricultural industry.