News
:::

The first double-certified domestic organic seed production in Taiwan Seed Improvement and Propagation Station, COA

In response to the legislative implementation of the Organic Agriculture Promotion Law in Taiwan and domestic organic seeds demand from publics, Taiwan Seed Improvement and Propagation Station, COA responded actively with the needs of the industry. TSIPS obtained the first domestic organic product dedicated to "seeds" in 2020. Subsequently, TSIPS obtained the first organic field certification for "seed production" in 2022, and produced double-certified domestic organic corn seeds, which was the first shot at organic seed production in Taiwan.

To date, the organic farming area is up to 17,000 ha and demand for organic seeds is gradually increasing. TPIPS is a dedicated unit for the domestic seed and seedling production and related technique development in Taiwan. In recent years, to promote the development of organic agriculture, TSIPS has established a domestic organic seed processing system for bulk imported grain crops such as maize, soybeans and wheat.

TSIPS indicated that it firstly obtained the certification of the organic grain processing line on June 8, 2020, and successively produced organic rice, soybeans, maize and wheat seeds. After a year of application process, the organic seeds production field of TSIPS was also certified on January 3, 2022.

TSIPS pointed out that the establishment of the organic seed (seedling) production system is the foundation of the development of sustainable organic agriculture. Maize Tainong No. 7 had been chosen for first seed product. Subsequently, organic sorghum seeds production would also be activated. At this stage, TSIPS has become the first government unit in Taiwan to fully validate the "production field" and "processing line" of organic seeds. In the future, it will not only meet the needs of the domestic grain industry, but also help accelerate the development of Taiwan's organic industry chain and enhance the degree of integration with the international organic market, and implement the government's current policy direction of promoting organic agriculture.

 

Female parent of maize Tainong No. 7 and bee ecology in the certified field of TSIPS.
Fig. 1 Female parent of maize Tainong No. 7 and bee ecology in the certified field of TSIPS.

Organic field certificate of TSIPS and seeds of double-certified domestic organic maize Tainong No. 7(sample packaging).
Fig.2 Organic field certificate of TSIPS and seeds of double-certified domestic organic maize Tainong No. 7(sample packaging).