2024 DFNet Workshop on Tropical Fruit and Climate Change in Taiwan: A Resounding Success_Workshop

DFNet 2024 Forum, Art Center, Taitung City

The DFNet 2024 workshop in Taiwan, titled "Tropical Fruit Consortium: Addressing Climate Change Impacts on Tropical Fruit Production and Strategies for Adaptation and Mitigation," was held with great success in Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Taitung from May 28-30, 2024. Organized by FFTC in collaboration with DFNet Project Core Group members from the Fengshan Tropical Horticultural Experiment Branch of the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) and the Taitung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station (Taitung DARES) of the Ministry of Agriculture, this event marked a significant stride in international collaboration.

Over two days, more than 90 participants from 12 countries visited orchards growing wax apple, mango, sugar apple, atemoya, and healthy citrus seedlings. They observed how local farmers are adapting to climate change, particularly the strong winds and heavy rains from typhoons. Through their interactions with farmers, participants gained insight into the ongoing challenges in tropical fruit cultivation and the innovative solutions farmers are implementing.

Additionally, a half-day forum facilitated lively discussions among DFNet members from Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. They shared valuable insights into the fruit industry's response to climate change.

In the March DFNet workshop held in Thailand, the core group members committed to developing a guidebook on adaptive practices for climate change risks tailored to smallholder farmers. The Forum in May was equally spirited, leading to a consensus on forming working groups in each respective country. The DFNet core group members will hold in-country stakeholder meetings to identify priority crops and create a matrix of best practices by climate risk for each crop, a critical step in the joint effort to develop the guidebook.

Looking ahead, DFNet members eagerly anticipate the 2025 field trips and forum in Vietnam and Malaysia!

Wax apple oechard and the new variety for tasting, Liugui District, Kaohsiug