News
Agricultural Biotechnology Shows Added Value in Exhibition
The Agricultural Biotechnology Pavilion in the “2014 Bio Taiwan Conferences and Exhibition” started on July 24 for four days at the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition hall. The theme of this activity is “value-added innovation and agricultural links.” It exhibits the latest research results of the research institutes and Agricultural Technology Research Institute under the Council of Agriculture (COA). In the meantime, the Pintung Agricultural Biotechnology Park and 28 companies guided by the Agricultural Technology Research Institute are also invited to participate in the pavilion. Altogether they show the comprehensive effects of commercialization and industrialization of agricultural technology. This wonderful exhibition attracted current Taiwan's many people to pay a visit.
The COA noted that in order to highlight Taiwan’s research performances of agricultural biotechnology, COA’s research institutes and Agricultural Technology Research Institute demonstrate the current research results at the pavilion. It is divided into nine areas, including aquaculture, ornamental fish and peripheries, new varieties of plants, livestock and poultry farming, animal vaccines, testing and diagnosis, bio-pesticides/fertilizers, herb and health food, and multiple applications of agricultural technology. There are 74 research results with potential for commercialization. For instance, Banggai cardinal fish (Pterapogon kauderni)can now be bred and potentially attract international markets like the European Union, North America and Asia. Rare Taiwan native freshwater pipefish (Obscure pipefish and Opossum pipefish) is firstly bred in an artificial environment. Polycrystalline LED aquarium light is firstly invented. There are more agricultural technologies and products full of market potential, such as artificial breeding technology of high-price Tapes literatus and cultivation of natural materials to prevent Varroa mite. (Details show at the below table.)
Table
| Item | Description |
| Seawater ornamental fish Banggai cardinal fish Small-scale production module | Seawater ornamental Banggai cardinal fish is originally from Indonesia. Its supply comes from wild fishing. Its commercial price is between NT$200 and NT$400. The European Union, North America and Japan are the major markets. Due to significant demands for as well as large consumptions of ornamental aquarium trade, the annual demand for ornamental fish is estimated to be 200,000. Commissioned by the COA’s Fisheries Agency, the National Taiwan Ocean University has successfully been able to breed 300,000 fish every year in an artificial reproduction way, which already stabilizes the market supply. |
| Ornamental freshwater (seawater) pipefish Small-scale production module | Rare ornamental freshwater (seawater) pipefish is priced at NT$450. The current source of it is from wild fishing. But due to many factors, such as individual survival rate, body size, seasonal climate and aquatic environment, the supply is not stable. Commissioned by the COA’s Fisheries Agency, the National Taiwan Ocean University has succeeded in artificially breeding pipefish. Every year it can produce 1.2 million fish. It can provide various species, strains, commodity specifications and a stable source of supply. Meanwhile, it can take care of effective use of particular species resources and habitat protection. |
| Breeding and selection techniques of freshwater ornamental shrimp | ■Crystal red shrimp: It uses crystal shrimp in red and white to breed blue bolt priced from hundreds to tens of thousands NT dollars. Every year it can breed 80,000 fish. Taiwan becomes an important country supplying crystal shrimp to the world. ■Polycrystalline LED aquarium light is invented to replace traditional fluorescent lamp. The former can save more energy, produce a variety of spectrums closer to the natural sunlight, and benefit the growth and ornamental value of aquatic plants. It can enhance the overall domestic aquarium industry and generate a potential value of NT$200 million per year. |
| Artificial breeding technology of Tapes literatus | Commonly seen in Penghu, Tapes literatus is priced between NT$250 and NT$320, which is twice to five times of other bivalves in the market such as Variegate Venus. The Penghu Marine Research Institute of COA’s Fisheries Research Institute has established the artificial breeding technology of Tapes literatus. Now it has successfully bred more than 200,000 juveniles. |
| Natural materials to prevent Varroa mite | Varroa mite is the most serious predator to bees, causing a 30% loss of bees every year. The existing chemical, Tau-Fluvalinate, has gradually lost its effect due to resistance. Thymol formulation comes from Thymus, an herbs plant. It is friendly to bees and environments. Moreover, it is easy to use and effective, with prevention rate of Varroa mite above 90%. It can improve the phenomenon of bees’ considerable disappearance. |
Industrialization of technology and real-time consulting service
The COA stressed that research and innovation is the driving force continuously supporting the progress of Taiwan’s agriculture. This exhibition can not only help the public understand COA’s research results of agricultural technology but also create a new potential market for the industry based on value-added technology. Through this opportunity, companies related to assistance projects of agricultural technology can directly communicate with the research and development personnel. An area for business talks among companies is also provided. In addition, the Agricultural Technology Research Institute and Pintung Agricultural Biotechnology Park offer consulting services.
If further contact needed, please contact the following COA officials:
Contact: Lee Hung-hsi, Deputy Director of COA’s Department of Science and Technology; Ke Sheng-chih, Section Chief of COA’s Department of Science and Technology
Tel: (02)23126320,
