Page 19 - 國合會2016電子書-英文

Operations

1 Case Study

Tuvalu Horticulture
Expansion Project

Technician Hung Chih-cheng (left) of the technical mission in Tuvalu instructing a
technician dispatched by the Ministry of Agriculture of Tuvalu on the cultivation of
cabbages.

Situated in the western South and vegetable production base, the and vegetables for student meals
Pacific Ocean, our ally, Tuvalu, which resident technical mission also set up at Motufoua Secondary School. On
consists of nine islands with limited agricultural workstations to develop average, the local farms have the
arable land, is characterized by shallow the competence of the local personnel, capacity of producing over 2 tons
topsoil layer, shortage of freshwater, trained seed teachers for nutrition of fruits and vegetables per month,
soil salinization and seasonal hurricane education, designed teaching materials which will benefit the local people
attacks. Long-term crop farming has and educational programs, and tremendously. In September 2016,
been quite difficult and, therefore, organized nutrition promotion activities. the crop harvest time was then set to
nearly all vegetables are imported. The The resident technical mission also coordinate with the schedule of ferries
local people’s diet is heavy in meat collaborated with Motufoua Secondary to Tuvalu so fresh produce could be
and carbohydrates, causing long-term School, providing practical courses shipped to the outer islands. More and
dietary imbalances and, consequently, in agricultural production for students more local people now have a greater
high rates of chronic diseases such and fruits and vegetables for student choice of fruits and vegetables for their
as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, meals. Farmers were also encouraged daily diet. In addition, the technical
hypertension and obesity. to sell surplus produce to the capital team continued to launch promotion
city area to increase the supply of fruits and consultation activities and
Successful experiences and vegetables across Tuvalu, and the implement programs to achieve the
benefit offshore islanders local residents were also encouraged project objectives, making substantial
In 2004, the TaiwanICDF set up a to adopt a balanced diet. contributions to the health of the
demonstration farm in Tuvalu’s capital - During the period of project people of Taiwan’s ally in the Pacific
Funafuti, which in 2006 was expanded implementation, the technical team region.
into the Fiafia Garden. In 2011, we encountered various obstacles on
implemented the Horticultural Crop the offshore islands: from lack of
Development Project, introducing transportation, labor force and means
suitable seedling varieties, trial farming, of telecommunication, to short supply
demonstrative production and of electricity, agricultural machinery
household vegetable gardens, and and water for irrigation, just to name a
teaching the local communities how few. Thanks to the resident technical
to farm and cook vegetables, so that mission’s expertise and ability to think
the people of Tuvalu would gradually on their feet, as well as their Taiwan
consume more fruits and vegetables. experience, they overcame the
To extend the project both in obstacles one after another.
breadth and depth, the TaiwanICDF Over a few years, the project has 2 tons
launched a six-year Horticulture made substantial progress. Success
Expansion Project in 2015, expanding in soil improvement made planting Average increase in
fruit and vegetable
the existing demonstration farm from fruits and vegetables possible in production per
Funafuti to the outer island of Vaitupu. May 2015. By the end of the year, month
Apart from turning Vaitupu into a fruit local farms began to supply fruits

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