THE Taiwan-Asia Vegetable Initiative (TAsVI) Seed Homecoming Ceremony held in Taipei, Taiwan, on Dec. 3 highlighted the collaborative efforts of national gene banks in Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia, alongside the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute and the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) to protect and effectively manage Southeast Asia’s vegetable biodiversity.
The TAsVI project has created a robust platform for the latter’s rescue, conservation and sustainable use. At the same time, it fosters knowledge sharing and capacity building among Asian stakeholders, including researchers, seed companies and farmers.
Representing the Philippines, Nur Azura Binti Adam, deputy director for Programs of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca), said that the collaboration is needed to “promote sustainable agricultural practices that support ecological balance, improve soil health and enhance sustainable food systems in rural communities.”
Participants at the Taiwan-Asia Vegetable Initiative Seed Homecoming Ceremony. PHOTO FROM SEARCA
The overall result would generate critical knowledge on conserving plant genetic resources and provide opportunities for capacity building through education and research, she added.
According to Nur, this project aligns closely with Searca’s 11th Five-Year Plan, which emphasizes empowering agricultural professionals and institutions in Southeast Asia through innovative research, training and strategic partnerships.
At a symposium hosted by WorldVeg headquarters in Tainan on Dec. 4-5, Nur shared insights into regional strategies for preserving vegetable diversity. She also contributed to a working group outlining a 10-year road map for conserving and sustainably using Southeast Asia’s vegetable biodiversity.
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