Farming Internships Attract Participants from Indonesia and the Philippines
Taiwan hosts agriculture exchange program for Southeast Asian farmers
A program aimed at fostering international agricultural cooperation and knowledge exchange has seen over 500 young farmers from Indonesia and the Philippines participate in training sessions in Taiwan since its inception in 2022.
The Foreign Young Farmer Internship Program, operated by the Ministry of Agriculture, seeks to support agricultural talent development and promote exchanges between Taiwan and the two Southeast Asian countries.
Participants have gained hands-on experience in modern farming techniques through internships in Taiwan's farming, livestock, poultry, and aquaculture sectors. As of yesterday, 582 Indonesian and Philippine farmers have completed the program.
Five Indonesian interns are currently working on farms in Taitung County, engaging in tasks such as growing fruit and vegetables, practicing organic farming, managing pests and diseases, and harvesting. The practical experience is expected to prepare these young farmers to run their own farms upon their return home.
The Taiwanese farmers hosting the Indonesian interns have praised their learning abilities and adaptability. While language barriers have posed challenges, interns have shown progress in learning Chinese and have become more efficient in their tasks.
The unique program allows Indonesian and Philippine farmers to gain valuable skills and insights into Taiwan's advanced agricultural practices, benefiting both the participating countries and Taiwan's labor needs in its farming sector. Graduates of the program usually become self-sufficient in technical tasks and farm management after one year of training.
Through such experiential learning, participants not only acquire practical skills but also develop a deeper understanding of Taiwan's agricultural technology and management. The internship program contributes to enhancing agricultural cooperation and knowledge exchange among the partner nations.
While the program is currently limited to Indonesia and the Philippines, Taiwan's commitment to agricultural cooperation could lead to its expansion to other countries in the future.
During their training, participants of the Foreign Young Farmer Internship Program have experienced hands-on learning in various agriculture sectors, thus fostering education-and-self-development in modern farming techniques.
Upon completing the internship, these farmers are better equipped to manage their own farms, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in promoting learning and talent development.
