The 2nd ExeCom Meeting was hosted by Dr. Wen-chi Huang, TaiwanDHRRA President, in the vast campus of the National Pingtung University for Science and Technology, where she is a senior professor. Chaired by Marimuthu Nadason, the ExeCom discussed, among others, organizational matters including approval of discussion and concept papers in relation to the network’s rural sector advocacy platform and its social enterprise plans. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Seo Jung Hui, AFA Chairperson, to exchange views with the ExeCom on the result of the AFA Autonomy Task Force meeting in March. The AsiaDHRRA ExeCom was in full support of the AFA ExeCom’s decision on the autonomy process. AFA has a regular seat in the AsiaDHRRA ExeCom to ensure coherence of the network’s direction and programming with its partner farmer organization.
The ExeCom had a dialogue with the President of NPUST, Dr. Mike Guu, who took time to explain the history and growth of the university and its effort to meet the challenges of a globalizing world. While innovating to meet new challenges, it has kept agriculture an important part of its program. It also opened its doors to partnerships especially with deserving students from developing countries. There was commitment on both sides to explore concrete cooperation in the near future such as training in NPUST of some the DHRRA extension workers and AFA farmer leaders on advance and appropriate agricultural technologies that the university is offering. The ExeCom had a thoughtful grounding session and orientation in the Animal Science Department and an enjoyable tour of its premises. NPUST is strategically located in the south of Taiwan where agricultural conditions apply to tropical countries.
The presence of Mr. Seo was also optimized with the visit to the Taiwan Dairy Farmers Growers Association (TDFA) . TDFA has applied for membership in AFA in November 2006. The visit was arranged by AsiaDHRRA to help AFA expand its membership base where its DHRRA partners are present. Mr. Danny Huang, Chairperson of TDFA, reaffirmed its interest to become part of AFA, which was welcomed and appreciated by AFA during the visit thru its Chairperson. TDFA explained to the delegation the operations of TDFA and their effort to revive the industry amidst growing market challenges.
The visit was also a time to reconnect with partners and friends in Taiwan. TaiwanDHRRA leaders and volunteers, and Dr. Bosco Lee, DHRRA pioneer and President of Wenzao College of Languages, hosted separate dinners for the group. The group also visited Mr. Chaing’s vegetable farm, a member of Taiwan Wax Apple Growers Association (TWADA), and enjoyed a late afternoon mango and papaya eating break in another member’s marketing warehouse.