Innovative research and development

　In order to ensure continued innovations in agro-technology, the COA has integrated technology resources with other government agencies to establish 10 research teams focused on the following areas: ornamental plants, tropical fruit, seeds and seedlings, breeding stock, fish breeding, ornamental fish, high-quality rice, organic farming, animal vaccines, and carbon emission reduction. These teams complete the COA’s Medium-term Research Plan in 2010. This strategy will increase research efficiency and help Taiwan to reach the goal of a strong agrotechnology sector guided by the market.

　Important research and development (R&D) achievements include antibiotic-free pig raising and breeding methods, increased chicken immune system function through a diet of Chinese medicinal herbs, and development of domestically produced high-quality pasture grass. In addition, the COA’s researchers have evaluated the benefits and commercial viability of four types of domestic bio-ethanol crops, developed new disease resistant varieties of papaya and banana, created fire-resistant green building materials, completed a rapid AOZ ELIZA test kit, evaluated the possible development of biodegradable fishing nets, and developed emission reducing devices for diesel fishing vessel.

　In coordination with developments in knowledge-based industries, the COA operates an agricultural intellectual property management and utilization system. We have also set up an office specializing in the promotion of agricultural science and technology-based businesses, advancing the commercialization and industrialization of agrotechnology. In 2008, the COA continued to inventory, add value to, and package research outputs; evaluate intellectual property rights management systems; and train interdisciplinary personnel. The COA held the 2008  Agricultural Technology Trade Exhibition and took part in the Taipei International Invention Show. In addition, the COA implemented the Agricultural Technology Personnel and Industry Elites Training Program. In 2008, technology transfers netted a total of NT$57.70 million, which represents a 22% increase over 2007’s NT$47.26 million. A total of 93 of commercial technology transfers occurred in 2008, a 9% increase over the 85 in 2007. Additionally, 26 crop variety rights were approved in 2008.

Industrialization of science and technology

　The COA continues to promote the development of five agro-biotechnology parks in order to establish Taiwan as a leader in agricultural technology and tropical flower production in the Asia-Pacific region. Phase one of infrastructure construction was completed in southern Taiwan’s Pingtung Agricultural Biotechnology Park (PABP), which is located on 233 hectares of land. So far, a total of 59 companies received approval to locate to the park and total investment in the project to date is NT$3.12 billion. Of the approved firms, 20 have already moved in and begun production. Tainan County’s Taiwan Orchid Plantation (TOP) has completed phases 1 and 2 of infrastructure construction and 34 firms have been approved for entry, representing 100% of the TOP’s available land. Eighteen of the approved firms have already begun operations. The National Flower Park located in Changhua County has completed construction of its ornamental tree exhibition area. Phases 1, 2, and 3 have been completed on the park’s 53.12 hectares. In 2008, the Chiayi County government completed the water supply systems, land preparation, and a portion of the drainage and waste water systems for the build-operate-transfer (BOT) of Chaiyi Herbal and Medicinal Plant Park. Plans are also in the works to establish the Yilan Marine Biotechnology Park.

　Pursuant to the Regulations Regarding the COA Counseling Assistance to Promote Agribusiness R&D Capacity, the COA approved six of the 22 research applications received, which led to NT$42.46 million in private sector investment. In November 2008, the Executive Yuan ratified the five-year NT$320 million inter-agency Agricultural Biotechnology Industrialization Development Plan to establish a commercialization platform to bring biotechnology research achievements out of the lab and into the market. The plan also assists companies seeking financing, loosens legal restrictions, and promotes training of qualified personnel from a variety of fields. 

Agriculture E-revolution

　The COA completed the implementation of the Agricultural Long-Distance Diagnostic Consultation Service System, which allows farmers to obtain agricultural diagnostic services through a video conferencing system. In 2008, specialists at the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute and the Taichung, Tainan, and Hualian District Agricultural Research and Extension Stations worked together to establish the Agricultural Long-Distance Diagnostic Consultation Service Center and set up service points at 42 farmers’ associations. Farmers who come across planting difficulties can use the video conference system to consult with specialists to solve problems quickly, making their expert knowledge and experiences available to more people.

　To promote agricultural safety policy, the COA established the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and assisted the testing centers at National Chung Hsing University, National Cheng Kung University, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, and Meiho Institute of Technology to take part in the system. Computerizing the management of the agro-product inspection process increase the inspection efficiency, expand the capabilities of pesticide residue analysis, and ensure better food safety.

　The COA established the High-Quality Crop Cultivation Knowledge Integration Platform, which integrates and provides essential knowledge about crop varieties and cultivation management, pests and diseases control, fertilizer use, soil management, and weather prediction into one convenient location. We have already compiled important information about paddy rice, custard apples, and green onions. As it continues to be implemented, the system will increase farmers’ practical knowledge of production management, increasing profits and decreasing costs through the sensible use of fertilizers.

　The COA established the Virtual Museum of Taiwanese Agriculture (http://video.coa.gov.tw), featuring a variety of online educational exhibits, including five channels titling as collection of agricultural commodities, LOHAS (lifestyles of health and sustainability), selected ecological video, fascinating agricultural snapshots, and agricultural technology perspectives. The site has collected 412 agricultural studies, cultivation, and ecology-related videos, which present the beauty of Taiwanese agriculture and how the industry contributes to the lives of the island’s people and the protection of the island’s environment. The museum has also collected 36,000 documents into its Agricultural Knowledge Management Information Platform, recently adding 20 topic-specific areas, such as one dedicated to lychees. The platform aims to accelerate exchange of agricultural knowledge and encourage innovative research and development.

Transforming and upgrading the industry

The COA has established a total of 33 rice production and marketing zones, which cover 9,897 hectares and produced 57,564 metric tons of unhusked rice. We also assisted farmers in signing contracts with rice distributors, increasing their profits by NT$279.82 million. Rice harvested in these zones was not subject to grain taxes, which reduced government grain purchases by about 26,811 metric tons. In addition, the COA ran a variety of model farms to promote current policy directions. In an effort to control tea quality along every step of production and processing, the COA encouraged tea farmers and processors to collaborate, visiting a total of 136 tea processing plants and 1,239 tea farms, representing a total of 1,752 hectares of farmland.

　The COA helped establish high-standard orchards for 12 different fruits, which covered a total of 5,600 hectares of land. Similar vegetable cultivation facilities reached 375 hectares while land devoted to flowers measured 15 hectares. The COA also assisted in improving production and marketing equipment, enabling farmers to perform post-harvest finishing and packaging. 92 of 152 applications for plant variety rights were approved, clearing the way for farmers to switch to these high-quality varieties. In addition, the COA drew up Taiwan Good Agricultural Practices (TGAP) for 77 agricultural products and held 275 training sessions to educate farmers about our agricultural product traceability system.

　In addition to upgrades in farming, the COA also implemented measures to improve Taiwan’s swine herds. Over 2008, 3,500 pigs and 500 of their progeny were screened for high-quality meat genes, while 1,050 were screened for porcine stress genes. Sperm was collected from high-quality male pigs, netting a total of 240,000 samples. The COA counseled pig farmers in establishing commercialized, integrated operations. Additionally, 20,000 dairy cows were involved in the dairy herd improvement project and deer farms were assessed in order to improve the competitiveness and image of the deer farming industry. In order to enhance monitoring of domestic poultry and meat quality, personnel in 21 slaughterhouses received training from the COA. Results showed that 98% of white broiler chickens tested under this monitoring system passed drug residue tests.

　Taiwan’s climate and geography are especially suited to aquaculture, so aquacultural techniques are well developed on the island. Taiwan has a strong capacity to develop new varieties and division of labor is well established within the industry. To upgrade ornamental fish into a key export product, the COA surveyed the varieties and yield of ornamental fish breeding in 2008, collecting basic data on 236 ornamental fisheries. In addition, the COA has assisted ornamental fish organizations to hold two local exhibitions and attend one overseas. 

　With the goal of becoming the center for fish breeding in the Asia-Pacific region, the COA collected basic details on 142 fish breeders in Taiwan, assisted breeding organizations to attend international exhibitions, and held three industry discussions and technology symposiums to encourage technology exchanges within the industry, thereby enhancing production capabilities.