The Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan recently produced a special report on its website on “New Age of Agro-Biotechnology.” On-line games are used to promote Biotechnology with “Mita” to help “Chi-ling ” recover her beauty. There are also different kinds of healthy agricultural products.

Safety is one of the main goals of present agricultural policy of COA. Countries over the world usually use large amounts of fertilizer and pesticide in agriculture protection. As a result, human beings and the land being harmed tremendously. Resorting to organic agriculture and using the power of nature to produce agricultural products and breed livestock boosts the competitiveness of Taiwan agriculture. This also helps create a vigorous Agro-Biotechnology development in Taiwan. Biotechnology development are directed at plant seedlings, aquatic products, livestock, vaccine for animals, food, fertilizer and pesticide as well as testing skills during the past years. Last year, the Council of Agriculture implemented a four-year project called “Phase III of the National Agro-Biotechnology Project”. This project integrates hundreds of projects in the above-mentioned 8 areas and focuses on 15 potential and targeted niches in the industry. The Council of Agriculture hopes to carry out Agro-Biotechnology research towards a more commercialized development, to add more value to Taiwan agriculture and transform it into a knowlede industry.

According to research done on the Agro-Biotechnology industry, its total output value reached about NT$28.2 billion in 2005 and is foreseen to double. The output value of biological fertilizer grew to NT$669 million in 2004 from NT$38.55 million from 2003, a growth of seventeen fold. Sales of biological pesticide is estimated to reach NT$2 billion in ten years.

If vegetables, livestock products and eggs are produced using the most natural fertilizer, all babies will be healthy without the need to feed them with antibiotics. Even if animals or plants are sick, it is possible to use natural organisms to cure their diseases, so that no good cells are damaged. Using biotechnologically safe pesticide could reduce the use of chemical fertilizer and pesticide, as well as antibiotics. More and more non-polluted and non-residual agricultural products could be produced and protect Taiwan agricultural products in the best possible way. Through the special report on Agro-Biotechnology on the Council of Agriculture website, the Council hopes to make known the importance of biotechnology in safe agriculture and the latest development trends in Taiwan. There are also stories about successful industry experts such as “Natto Tangerine” manufacturers once featured on Japan’s national television NHK as well as the best selling livestock --“crystal pigs”. Several happy and bitter stories from frontline biotechnology researchers in Taiwan were also reported in the special report.

In addition, Mita from theagriculture website for kids also made an appearance. This time she will help A-ming to make use of biotechnological products, such as organic adhesive plaster and fish scale extraction collagen to help “Chi-ling ” recover her beauty. Whoever wins the round will win some fine biotechnology products. For instance, collagen, biotechnological mask, bamboo charcoal to-go set and also the freshest strawberry gift set! From now till December 15th, please go to the Council of Agriculture website and join the on-line activity: “A-ming’s Love Duel!” and get to know the secret of Agro-Biotechnology and experience the Agro-Biotechnology products! For more information, please visit the Council of Agriculture website: https://www.coa.gov.tw/.