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COA looks to invest in young blood

A German youth movement that dates back to the 19th century has provided the inspiration for a Council of Agriculture program that seeks to revitalize Taiwan's agriculture sector.

Four participants in the council's Wandervogel Project, named for the youth movement, returned yesterday from a tour of German farms.

Although the four previously worked in fields as diverse as veterinary practice, commerce and the high-tech sector, they said they are now committed to a career in agriculture.

Twenty-nine-year-old Hsieh Chih-long (謝智龍), a graduate of National Taiwan University's veterinary program, worked as a vet before he decided to start his own business buying and selling bananas.

Hsieh now has five retail outlets and says he makes more money than he ever did as a veterinarian.

The next step is to start growing his own bananas, Hsieh said.

"The key to creating added value is cutting out the middleman. I learned the importance of being detail-oriented from the German farmers," he said.

"I think agriculture in Taiwan will improve if it is more consolidated and well-regulated the way it is in Germany," Hsieh said.

Thirty-six-year-old Wu Guo-sheng (吳國勝) came away from the tour similarly inspired.

"I was impressed when shopping for food that so many products were labeled `bio,'" Wu said. "I came to learn that `bio' means more than just `organic.' It is a whole attitude of respect towards nature."

Wu said his experience in Germany has inspired him to grow organic herbs.

"I think as earnings in Taiwan increase, people will become concerned with more than just getting the cheapest product -- ?they will want one that is ethical as well," Wu said.

The council's public relations section chief said the Wandervogel Project and related programs for aspiring farmers had attracted more than 2,000 participants since last year.

Ralf Nolten, deputy chairman of the Taiwanese-German association for socio-economic research, said the philosophy behind the Wandervogel movement was still tremendously influential in Germany.

Council Chairman Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) said it was vital for the agriculture sector that young people enter the field.

"We need young people and new ideas so that Taiwanese agriculture will continue to grow," he said.
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