b'A look at seed industry developments around the globe.that first time the seed cultiva- a meeting and a workshopfor Taiwan through interactiveTaiwan, he says. We can tion of potato seeds increasesat the place of the Iranianlearning with WorldVeg. benefit from the perspective to 78,000 hectare. Agricultural Ministry onYann-Rong Lin, WorldVegand innovations of NCHU stu-Talking about the newlyMonday to explore the capac- Deputy Director Generaldents and faculty while open-introduced provisions in theities and potentials for mutualsays partnerships saysing doors to the world for Fruit and Nursery Act, thecooperation. global agricultural produc- them through joint research minister says registration ofThe United Nationstion increasingly encountersprojects.nurseries would be a neces- Development Programmeharsh challenges from cli- Fuh-Sheng Shieu, NCHU sary step besides making tag- workshop and the joint meet- mate change and that foodPresident, noted the univer-ging and traceability must. ing with the UNDP repre- crises may occur at any time.sity is known for nurturing In a conversation with thesentatives have provided anImbalanced diets have seriousoutstanding agricultural farmers, the minister alsoopportunity for us to expandhealth implications, she noted,talent. Research results have announced to set up bananaour cooperation with special- emphasizing the need for abeen published in top inter-ripening units. Besides thatized international organiza- shift to healthier diets. national journals, and indus-a subsidy scheme for poly- tions, Alimorad Sarafrazi saysNCHU and WorldVegtrial applications have been houses was also launched byat the meeting. established the internationalimplemented to enhance the the minister. In this schemeThe Agriculture Ministryscooperation alliance to ensurecompetitiveness of Taiwans farmers would be able topriorities for cooperation withTaiwan students are preparedagriculture. Our develop-attain 90% subsidy to set upinternational organizations willto assume the responsibili- ment of precision and sustain-the polyhouses. To initiate it,be in areas like drought resil- ties of global citizens workingable agricultural applications 19 farmers from across theience, contract farming, smarttoward global food security.won the Future Science and state also got work orders let- agriculture, as well as reform- Their participation in researchTechnology Award from ters from the minister. ing the structure and improv- and promotion of vegetablesthe Ministry of Science and Terming the depletioning agricultural businesses incan enhance public healthTechnology this year, he says.of ground water as alarm- rural areas with an emphasisand strengthen domestic andWopereis says WorldVegs ing, the minister urged theon womens occupations, heinternational collaboration,mandate is huge and the Horticulture Department andnoted. says Fuh-Jyh Jan, dean ofCenter is too small to tackle Punjab Agricultural UniversitySource: Tehran Times the School of Agriculture andthe challenges ahead on its to develop the less waterNatural Resources of NCHU. own. We are transform-consuming varieties of crops.Ten years ago, the uni- ing WorldVeg into an Open Director Horticulture ShalinderSTATUS TAIWAN versity established anScience Center to ensure a Kaur says the farmers mustNational Chung HsingInternational Agronomymuch greater share of global come forward for cash cropsUniversity (NCHU) andMasters degree program andR&D efforts is dedicated to instead of traditional crop pat- the World Vegetablean International Agribusinessnutritious, health-promoting tern to enhance their income. Center (WorldVeg)Bachelors degree program tofoods, in particular vegeta-Source: The Tribune signed a Memorandum ofrecruit international studentsbles, he says. To achieve this, Understanding (MOU) toand nurture international agri- WorldVeg joins with partners conduct joint vegetablecultural talent for Taiwan. Insuch as NCHU to realize the STATUS IRAN research and developmentrecent years, NCHU obtainedtremendous economic and Director-general of theto transform food systemsthe Ministry of Educationsnutritional potential of vegeta-Iranian Agricultural Ministrystowards greatly improvedHigher Education Deepbles in a sustainable manner. International Affairs Officehuman health outcomes andPloughing Program, and hasThe signing of the MOU is an says the ministry is going tovastly reduced environmentalfocused on animal, plant, andimportant step towards real-expand cooperation with spe- footprints. agricultural biotechnology. izing the Open Science Center cialized international organiza- NCHU President,Fuh- Marco Wopereis,vision. SWtions through United NationsSheng Shieu, says the MOUWorldVeg Director General, Development Programmewill allow students to expandexpressed his appreciation (UNDP). their international agriculturalfor the MOA.WorldVeg is a As IRNA reported, theexperience and nurture well- leading international organi-UNDP representatives heldrounded agricultural talentzation with headquarters in 62/ SEEDWORLD.COMFEBRUARY 2022'