The 2012 Workshop on Nanotechnology Applications for Boosting Agricultural Productivity, a five-day event jointly organized by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and the Council of Agriculture (COA), kicked off at the National Ilan University on Sept. 3. Attended by 23 experts from 9 APO member nations such as South Korea, India, Indonesia, Iran, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand, the workshop ended with great success on Sept. 7. The academic event included keynote speeches from 5 world-renowned experts who delineated methods of applying nanotechnology to food processing and preservation, traditional farming, environment-controlled productions, precision agriculture, poultry and husbandry operations as well as agricultural waste management. The forum proved to be an invaluable platform for fostering discussions and technical exchanges among APO representatives, who all noted the need for closer cooperation in developing and implementing nanotechnology so as to ensure agricultural sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Taiwan’s agricultural strengths well-received by the international community

The APO is a nonprofit international organization dedicated to providing counsel and technical support to its member nations in regards to enhancing the productivity of their manufacturing, agriculture and service sectors. As a founding member of the organization that was established in 1961, Taiwan has helped the APO improve the quality of life in many parts of the world through economic development projects. The nonprofit group collaborates with its 20 member nations to host international seminars on widespread global issues, and regularly sends APO envoys abroad to promote new information, ideas and approaches related to economic productivity. Through the APO, the COA has gained access to many international networks and events, lobbied for the right to host agricultural forums and raised the nation's international profile through academic and technical exchanges.

Nanotechnology proves to be the key to enhancing agricultural productivity

In order to safeguard food security and preserve agricultural sustainability, global leaders have included the application of advanced technology towards agricultural production in high-priority national policies. The United States had predicted as early as 2003 that nanotechnology would one day revolutionize agricultural productions and the food processing industry. Upon the inclusion of nanotechnology research in the nation's economic development policies, the COA has identified several agricultural areas that would benefit from the atomic manipulation of matter, including precision agriculture, intelligent irrigational networks and smart sprinkler systems, product packaging and storage, produce preservation and food processing, waste management and environmental protection.

The swell in international attendance at the 2012 APO Workshop on Nanotechnology Applications for Boosting Agricultural Productivity reflects a global interest in the agricultural applications of nanotechnology, the COA pointed out, adding that the APO provides member nations with the opportunity to collaborate and exchange experiences related to economic and agricultural development. Moreover, through such exchanges, Taiwanese academics and officials can tap into the international networks related to nanotechnology and facilitate the nation's progress in this highly competitive scientific field, the COA concluded.