A training course designed to expand agricultural partnerships between Taiwan and African countries has begun in Taiwan, according to the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
Industry players, officials, and experts in the agricultural field from Eswatini, South Africa, Somaliland, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, and Libya came to Taiwan to participate in the course and attended the opening ceremony on Monday.
The Foreign Ministry says the course, planned by National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, combines theory and practice to teach nature-friendly farming and animal husbandry technology. Participants will also gain an understanding of the current state of Taiwan's agricultural market.
Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of West Asian and African Affairs, Chen Yung-po (陳詠博), says some goals of the course are to foster a deeper mutual understanding and facilitate business connections between enterprises in Taiwan and Africa. Chen also expressed his hope that the course will promote future cooperation in agricultural and livestock products, packaging, and agricultural machinery and equipment.
The ministry says Taiwan has long implemented agricultural cooperation plans in Africa, including technical missions in Eswatini and Somaliland. It adds that agriculture-related fields are a crucial aspect of the government's strategy for Africa.