TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Fifty Indonesian youths arrived in Taiwan on Monday to begin a one-year agricultural training program as part of Taiwan–Indonesia cooperation on developing agricultural talent, CNA reported.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the government’s New Southbound Policy aims to diversify Taiwan’s agricultural export markets and strengthen cooperation with ASEAN countries. It includes establishing platforms for agricultural technology cooperation, talent training and exchanges, and supporting Taiwanese investment overseas.
The ministry said the initiative seeks to use Taiwan’s agricultural experience to help these countries improve crop production, aquaculture, smart agriculture, and fertilizer use.
The agricultural training program in Taiwan is a cooperation project signed between the ministry and the Indonesian government in 2019. Participants are selected by the Indonesian government, while the ministry is responsible for selecting suitable farms and agribusinesses for training.
Before arriving in Taiwan, participants received training on an overview of the country’s agriculture and basic Mandarin language courses. In Taiwan, they will be trained in fruit cultivation, vegetable seedling production, floriculture, or aquaculture.
The Taipei Economic and Trade Office said the program has trained around 395 Indonesian youths in Taiwan. Some participants have turned their training experience into academic papers, while others have applied the management knowledge gained in Taiwan to work with food service operators back in Indonesia.
The ministry highlighted Indonesia as an important agricultural partner for Taiwan, adding that both sides have continued to promote agricultural technology cooperation and industry collaboration projects. The two countries have also worked to facilitate mutual access for agricultural products.
Last year, Indonesia’s seafood exports to Taiwan reached NT$3.3 billion (US$105 million), making it one of Taiwan’s key seafood suppliers. Taiwan has also imported palm oil, coffee, and tropical fruits from the nation.
