Business Potential for Agricultural Biotechnology - Asian Productivity ...
Business Potential for Agricultural Biotechnology - Asian Productivity ...
Business Potential for Agricultural Biotechnology - Asian Productivity ...
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2. THE BUSINESS POTENTIAL AND DEVELOPMENT<br />
STRATEGY FOR AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY<br />
PRODUCTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA<br />
INTRODUCTION<br />
– 93 –<br />
Dr. Wei-Ping Hung<br />
Research and Development Section<br />
Science and Technology Department<br />
Council of Agriculture<br />
Taipei<br />
Taiwan is a subtropical mountainous island with a diverse climate ranging from tropical to<br />
subfrigid. This diverse environment creates a large amount of biodiversity, which is a key factor<br />
in the development of the country’s agricultural biotechnology industry. The agricultural technology<br />
of the Republic of China is well established, and the active research community in this<br />
area has generated valuable agricultural know-how and advanced technology. Based on the<br />
unique agricultural styles, geography, climate, and biological resources, strategic planning <strong>for</strong><br />
developing agricultural biotechnology in the Republic of China will not only trans<strong>for</strong>m the local<br />
agricultural industry but also create a market segment different from those of industrialized<br />
countries. Furthermore, such a strategy will help the Republic of China to become a research and<br />
development center of excellence <strong>for</strong> subtropical fruits, vegetables, flowers, livestock, and<br />
aquatic products.<br />
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY<br />
An analysis of the overall development vision, objectives, and current status of the industry,<br />
agricultural resources, and global competition with respect to agricultural biotechnology indicates<br />
that the development of the Republic of China’s biotechnology industry should focus on<br />
subtropical agriculture.<br />
In the initial stage, the Republic of China should develop an industry in plant sprouts, aquaculture<br />
farming, animal vaccines, functional food polypeptides, biofertilizer, and biopesticides.<br />
The goal is two-fold: to accelerate the pace of trans<strong>for</strong>ming traditional farming and to accumulate<br />
technical know-how and talent in the field of new applications.<br />
The Republic of China should also invest in infrastructure establishment, including creating<br />
an agricultural biotechnology in<strong>for</strong>mation and certification management system, amending<br />
current regulations and administrative operations, and strengthening product design and sales. In<br />
addition, the Republic of China should establish agricultural biotechnology parks to concentrate<br />
resources in order to become an agricultural high-tech center that can fulfill the multiple purposes<br />
of research and development, production and marketing, processing, and transportation to<br />
market. This strategy will create a healthy industrial development environment and gradually<br />
build a new agricultural biotechnology industry.<br />
MEANS OF ENHANCING INVESTMENT<br />
Protection and Application of Intellectual Property<br />
Because agricultural biotechnology is basically rooted in high-tech research and development,<br />
it is necessary to safeguard the outcomes of such research through the protection of intellectual<br />
property rights. The Republic of China has amended the Plant Variety and Seedling Act<br />
to make the law more comprehensive and allow new plant variety rights. This has included pass-
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