Trip Report Key Lessons and Outcomes of the Pacific Seed Learning Exchange 30 Nov 8 Dec 2014

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1 Trip Report Key Lessons and Outcomes of the Pacific Seed Learning Exchange 30 Nov 8 Dec 2014 Taiwan Day November Arrival in Taiwan Pacific Delegates: Thecla Vapusy - Kastom Gaden Association, Solomon Islands Minoru Nishi - Nishi Trading, Tonga Losipeli Funaki Tonga Kaitu Erasito - Natures Way Cooperative, Fiji Iato Rory Oliver Farmer Support Association, Vanuatu Luaiufi Aioni - Samoa s Farmers Association, Samoa Emma Stone Terracircle consultant to PIFON Day 2. 1 December ) Introduction to agriculture and vegetable production with Dr Wen-Chi Huang at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology Points of interest presented by Dr Wen-Chi: >6000 farmer cooperatives across Taiwan sharing machinery, coordinating production and managing marketing Trends towards quality assurance and traceability of agricultural products supported by F.O. s Governments supportive of fallow for cultivated areas compensating for the cost of legume seed 97% of farms in Taiwan family farms Government does not allow farms to be owned by companies Pingtung University specializing in tropical agriculture with a strong international program welcoming students from the Pacific Islands

2 2) Tissue Culture Lab Prof. Hsieh Exposure to tissue culture as a method of propagation providing clean disease free material Extensive infrastructure, technology and training required Pingtung University offers internships at the tissue culture lab High level control and start up capital and running costs Limited application to Pacific Farmer organisations beyond an awareness of the opportunity to source clean disease free planting material from tissue culture sources (SPC-Fiji) 3) Vegetable Seedling Farm operated by Farmer Cooperative in Kaoshung Large scale production of vegetable seedlings providing a wide range of vegetables with majority being Cucurbits, eggplants, tomatoes, chillis, lettuce, Brassica s. Seedlings are purchased by members of the cooperative.

3 Points of interest within tour: Grafting Demonstration of grafting of Cucurbits commonly practiced in Taiwan for Bitter gourd and other cucurbits. Also practiced for Solanaceae (Tomatoes / Eggplants). Known-You seed company were retailing grafting clips used for cucurbits. Wholesale distributor of clips identified in business card to the right (in Chinese) All potting mediums utilised by the seedling farm were imported using a peat moss base from Germany. They had a mechanised seeding machine however its use was only justified when they had large quantities of seeding to be done as it took a long time to set up. Seeding of less than 50 trays was done by hand. Demonstration of their seedling machine was provided. The facility kept all seed in refrigerated storage (18 C). All seed was commercial seed, majority from Known-You. The manager had an understanding that it was all hybrid. The seedling farm also had a production field growing bitter gourd displaying trellising (below). Grafting point of the mature plant clearly visible in photo to the right.

4 4) Squash Farm owned and operated by member of the same Farmer Cooperative. Owner previously employed by Syngenta and now a contracted seed grower for Syngenta. Discussions about roguing, purity (trueness to type) and controlling cross pollination were triggered by some fruits displaying different characteristics as can be seen in photo to the right with one fruit to the right different from the rest. Other key points discussed/observed: comparative variety trials crop management - the value of some crops (holding a higher price in the market) justified greater management i.e. hand pollination to increase fruit set disease management - all plants appeared significantly impacted by mosaic virus isolation caging introduction of bees for pollination Day 3. 2 December ) Organic Rice Farm This family business based in Kaoshung, is producing award winning organic rice in regional competitions competing against conventional rice. The tour presented: Demonstration of seeding using mechanical seeder Drying, milling, processing, storage of rice. Cool storage room for rice (maintained at 18 ). Varieties separated in colour coded bags. Packaging / value adding with much attention to quality control of the product. Demonstration of packaging using 2 different vacuum packaging machines. Limited attention to seed production. Cultivars generally developed by the Ministry of Agriculture at a district level. Generous provision of lunch that included a range of varieties of their rice prepared in different ways including rice bran cakes, rice steamed in a parcel with nuts, beans and meat and a sweet purple rice dish. They were very welcoming and generous with their time. We all appreciated the efforts of Dr Wen Chi in translating all of our questions. Each participant offered 1 kg of their recent award winning rice.

5 2) Known-You Seed Company Visibly Known-You is a very large, professional and profitable company. They had a very structured tour and extraordinary facilities. The tour was conducted by a PR representative with limited technical knowledge of seed processing. While we all enjoyed the presentation we were not invited to enter the seed processing facilities rather observe from a distance through the glass panels of the doors to the various rooms (processing, packing, germination testing). Our guide for the tour was not able (or not potentially not permitted) to answer any specific questions. It did appear that, understandably, they were quite protective of their knowledge and approaches. In summary the tour was largely a sales presentation by Known-You but offered some good examples of marketing. Recommendations made Known-You on how they may be able to better service the Pacific Island farmers e.g. specify which varieties are suited to tropical conditions within the catalogue, interest in proposing new distributors (enquiries should be made to manager of International Department Mr Morrison). Known-You processes for various activities detailed in picture to right. Known-You stated objectives: breeding of superior varieties, resistant to diseases and insects, heat, moisture and adverse conditions, more nutritious and more valuable, reduced use of pesticide, develop more varieties suitable for organic cultivation, improve food shortage

6 Known- you provided a large area of garden/farm plots that were rentable to members of the community as pictured above. As part of this service Known-you provided advice to the farm tenants. Known-you also had a large fruit tree nursery as pictured above. Day 4. 3 December ) HKC Huikwang Coorporation Presentation of HKC farm input products by manager and sales representative. Largely fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides with some erosion control products. No discussion of seed. 2) Dairyfarm Dairy farms in Taiwan are intensive feedlots with all feed imported and no grazing due to high demands on land. This farm/ agrotourism venture provided examples of product development and value adding. 3) The World Vegetable Centre / AVRDC This tour included: Presentation AVRDC values and activities Demonstration gardens of a wide range of edible food plants examples of signage Varietal trials (potted and field) very good and applicable examples Public sector breeder, 501 varieties released seed available from AVRDC on request Seed banking germplasm conservation Seed production, processing, drying, germination testing and packaging largely using advanced technologies

7 Storage conditions - Drying room (17 C 10%RH), Short, medium (10-20 yrs 5 C 45%RH) and long term Signage in the demonstration garden (above) Seed drying facility (left) and drying / storage bags (right) This tour was hindered by communication challenges with detail and responses to questions limited. The technologies displayed in the seed handling processes were too far advanced for application by farmer organisations in the Pacific. Day 4. 5 December 2014 Depart Taiwan - Arrive Philippines

8 Day 5/6. 6 and 7 December 2014 Asia Pacific Seed Forum, Brentwood Suites, Manilla Philippines Representatives from a large number of countries from Pacific, South Asia and South East Asia including: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines and our Pacific delegates representing Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu. Topics presented over the 2 days included: Regional context for seed and supply chain in Asia and Pacific Global trends multinational seed companies, genetic erosion, decreasing access and control, links between agrochemical companies and seed industry National and regional seed policies and policy agendas Varietal release and registration systems - examples from the Philippines Business model of seed production and distribution using contracted growers East West Seeds Climate change impacts / adaptation and mitigation climate smart agriculture Technologies and legal challenges on farmers rights to seeds Human Rights framework for PGRFA - diversity, sustainability, traditional knowledge, shared benefits, participation in decision making Common constraints identified accessibility, affordability, adaptability, quality Community seed banking experiences and farmer managed conservation approaches (Masipag rice) Regional planning in discussion groups Oliver Rato (Vanuatu) presenting Pacific Action Plan

9 Outputs of the forum: Enhanced understanding of seed supply chains (contrasts between Asia to Pacific), identified common challenges and opportunities for seed supply and developed a draft Regional Action Plan. Day 7. 8 December 2014 Field trip to East West Seeds Farm and Duran Integrated Farm East West Seed Farm was focused on varietal trials rather than seed production. The farm provided a good model for such trials offering good examples of documentation and crop management. The tour guide had very limited experience with seed production and had limited capacity to answer seed specific questions. However within our group there were a number of people with agronomy backgrounds and extensive experience in seed production. Asking questions of the tour guide often led to small group discussions between a number of participants who were able to share experiences and answer questions. Nahendra Khadka from Nepal sharing his experience of controlled pollination of corn.

10 The farm was also a retailer of seedlings to local growers and provided a tour of their seedling nursery. Points of interest here included: Use of locally made potting mediums using local products 3 part cocopeat, 1 part soil (sterilised at 80 for 4 hours), 1 part cow manure Coconut peat, used as a base in the potting medium, was first soaked overnight in water and then rinsed under continuous flow of water, then treated with Calcium Nitrate. 35 sacks of coconut fibre (each 25kgs) mixed with 2kg of Ca(NO3)2 in large soaking tubs. Seed mixed with chalk for easy handling

11 Duran Integrated Farm This model seedling farm / agrotourim venture is an accredited agriculture extension service provider and regularly host trainees. The establishment has been supported by government and nongovernment grants as well as funding and support by East West Seeds. They are the main supplier of seedlings to the district using use all East West seeds in their seedling production. They make their own seed mix (pictured left). As well as the seedlings they demonstrate composting, biochar production, small scale aquaculture and rice milling technology. The agrotourism venture provides guided tours for visitors and meals made from local vegetable. Next Steps At the conclusion of the forum/field visits the group expressed interest in further training sessions focused on the practicals of seed production, processing, packaging, distribution, marketing and community seed banking.