Taipei: Over 500 young farmers from Indonesia and the Philippines have arrived in Taiwan to participate in a training program facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). This initiative, known as the "Foreign Young Farmer Internship Program," aims to develop agricultural skills and enhance exchanges between Taiwan and these Southeast Asian nations.

According to Focus Taiwan, since the program's inception in 2022, 582 young farmers from Indonesia and the Philippines have successfully completed internships across Taiwan's farming, livestock, poultry, and aquaculture sectors. Currently, five Indonesian interns are actively working on two farms in Taitung County, engaging in diverse activities such as fruit and vegetable cultivation, organic farming practices, pest and disease management, and harvesting.

The Taitung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station highlighted the benefits of the training, noting that the Indonesian participants are gaining valuable knowledge in advanced farming techniques. This experience is expected to empower them to manage their own farms effectively upon returning to their home countries. Lin Pei-ying, owner of "Good Time Fruit" farm, commended the interns for their adaptability and potential, as they have demonstrated the capability to independently perform various farming tasks.

Chen Hsiao-wei, another farm operator, acknowledged the initial language barrier faced by the interns. However, he noted that their efforts to learn Chinese have significantly improved their ability to read task sheets, thus enhancing work efficiency. The internship program not only equips participants with practical skills but also offers an in-depth understanding of Taiwan's agricultural methodologies.

The MOA reported that most foreign interns acquire the skills necessary for technical tasks and basic farm management independently after a year of training. This practical experience not only enhances their individual capabilities but also supports Taiwan's agricultural sector by addressing labor demands.