Recognizing the escalating importance of food safety, Kasama City sought to understand Taiwan’s strategies for implementing and promoting its TAP system. The visit commenced with a meeting at AFA’s Nantou Office, where both parties exchanged greetings and perspectives. AFA’s Planning Division Chief, Ms. Ling-Na Lin, provided a comprehensive overview of the program, its implementation, and promotional activities. The delegation also received a briefing on Taiwan’s robust organic certification system from the Farming and Soil Support Division.
To offer a firsthand look at the TAP system in operation, the AFA organized visits to a diverse range of agricultural producers and distributors. These on-site visits aimed to solidify Taiwan-Japan agricultural collaborations and elevate the profile of Taiwan’s certified TAP and organic products in the Japanese market.
Kasama City has cultivated a strong partnership with Taiwan in the agricultural realm. Since the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Strengthening Food and Cultural Development and Exchanges with the AFA in 2019, the city and its neighboring areas have been importing Taiwanese bananas for school lunches. The program has expanded to include pineapples, with over 3,000 Japanese students in 9 schools enjoying these tropical fruits in 2023. This year, the initiative is poised to reach 12,000 schoolchildren in 89 schools. Notably, many of these exports are TAP-certified, adhering to Taiwan Good Agriculture Practice, TGAP.
Through this productive collaboration, Kasama City has recognized the pivotal role of the TAP system in safeguarding food safety and fostering sustainable agriculture. The delegation expressed keen interest in understanding TAP application procedures, production standards, the IT-based data management system, product traceability system, and government support programs. By sharing TAP system, the AFA aims to inspire more Japanese consumers and distributors to embrace Taiwan’s safe, delicious, and environmentally sustainable agricultural products.
In collaboration with the China Productivity Center, an experienced organization in international engagement, the AFA organized visits to ten agricultural outlets* run by farmers’ organizations, agribusinesses, and exemplary distribution channels that offer TAP-certified agricultural products. These visits encompassed various stages of the industry, from production and packaging to processing and distribution. By showcasing the entire TAP certification process, the AFA demonstrated Taiwan’s unwavering commitment to food safety from farm to table and highlighted the rigorous standards upheld by its agricultural producers.
By strengthening agricultural ties between Taiwan and Japan, the AFA hopes to foster increased trade and cooperation in the future.
*Visited Outlets
- Rice House Smart Agri
- Yi Jing Yan (Tea & Magic Hand)
- Sun Moon Lake Black Tea, Yuchih Township
- Hung Gee Bees Farm
- Fang Mei Orchard
- Zhan Shian Agricultural Biotechnology
- Taiwan Golden Buckwheat
- K. K. Orchard
- California Farm Cooperative Society, Kaohsiung City
- Muji Gangshan Store
