News Briefs
FFTC Director Named Honorary Adviser of Myanmar Fisheries Federation
YANGON, MYANMAR - FFTC Director Sing-Hwa Hu was named honorary adviser of the Myanmar Fisheries Federation during his visit to the country on February 25-28, 2007. The said visit enabled Taiwanese fisheries experts to share their expertise with researchers and fish farmers alike, in the hope of contributing to the sustainable growth and development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector of Myanmar.
During the visit, the Taiwanese delegation had the opportunity to witness the great potential of the country's fisheries and aquaculture sector in terms of generating export earnings and providing improved livelihood, especially to small-scale fish farmers. Primarily, the visit opened new avenues for possible collaborative projects and programs between FFTC and Myanmar in the area of fisheries and aquaculture.
The fishery sector is the fourth most important source of export earnings in Myanmar. The country earned US$359 million from export of 271,000 MT of fish and fishery products in 2005-2006. The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries is targeting to earn US$400 million in export in FY 2006-2007. To achieve this goal, an increase in export of high-priced commodities, as well as processing of high quality products to meet international standards and exploring new market channels, are necessary.
Visitors from Gambia and the Philippines Explore Future Technical Cooperation with FFTC
TAIPEI, TAIWAN ROC - Recognizing the importance of promoting scientific and technical cooperation in agriculture with governments within and outside of the Asian and Pacific region, FFTC recently received visitors from Gambia and the Philippines to explore possible future partnerships.
Gambian Ambassador to Taiwan, Hon. Mawdo C. Juwara; Dr. B.A.S. Sanneh, a former World Health Organization (WHO) - Gambia consultant; and Dr. Amadou Sowe, an agricultural economist, visited FFTC on March 30, 2007, primarily to discuss possible collaboration between Gambia and the Center in the area of technology transfer in agriculture, specifically on technical information exchange, capacity and institution building in agriculture, and pursuing common technology transfer goals.
Meanwhile, a Philippine delegation of academicians from the Benguet State University (BSU) visited FFTC on March 16, 2007 with the goal of initiating research, extension, and academic exchange collaboration. Headed by Dr. Sonwright B. Maddul, Vice President for Research and Extension of BSU, the other members of the university delegation include: Dr. Luciana M. Villanueva of the Semi-temperate Vegetables R&D Center; Dr. Jane K. Avila of the Food Processing Center; Dr. Leopoldo N. Tagarino of the Department of Agribusiness and Economics; and Dr. Lorna L. Lino of the Department of Food Science.
FFTC Consultant Extends Technical Assistance to Citrus Growers in the Philippines
NUEVA VISCAYA, PHILIPPINES - Dr. Hong-Ji Su, Emeritus Professor at the National Taiwan University (NTU) and FFTC consultant on crop protection, visited Malabing Valley, Nueva Viscaya, the leading citrus production area in northern Luzon, Philippines in February 2007, to provide his technical expertise on citrus greening and other virus diseases, as well as to promote international technological exchange in the area of crop disease management. Prof. Su met with citrus growers and coop members, visited orchards and nurseries, and gave a lecture/demonstration on the detection of huanglongbing or HLB (citrus greening disease) using different test methods. About 120 citrus growers attended his lecture.
Index of Images
Figure 1 Dialogue with fish farmers at the Myanmar Fisheries Federation.
Figure 2 FFTC Dir. Sing-Hwa Hu provides suggestions to hatchery farm owners in Myanmar.
Figure 3 Visitors from Gambia met with FFTC Dir. Hu and staff to discuss possible partnership in agriculture.
Figure 4 Dir. Hu discusses possible collaboration in research, extension, and academic exchange with visitors from BSU, Philippines.
Figure 5 Prof. Su gives a lecture/demonstration to coop members and growers at the Malabing coop citrus foundation nursery, Nueva Viscaya, Philippines.
