TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan will conduct its inaugural national examination for plant doctors this summer, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA, 農業部), announced Tuesday (June 24). The groundbreaking three-day assessment will be held concurrently in the northern, central, and southern cities of Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung from Aug. 15 to 17, marking a significant milestone in the island's agricultural development. This professional certification process stems from the recently implemented Plant Doctor Act (植物診療師法), which took effect on Aug. 7, 2024, establishing a formal framework for identifying and credentialing specialists in plant health.
According to ministry officials, the newly certified plant doctors will provide Taiwan's agricultural community with specialized diagnostic services tailored to identify and address field-level challenges including pest infestations, crop diseases, and cultivation impediments. Beyond their direct work with farmers, these professionals will serve as frontline sentinels in a nationwide surveillance network, providing governmental agencies with crucial real-time data on emerging plant epidemics. The certification program represents Taiwan's proactive approach to confronting the increasingly complex agricultural threats stemming from climate change disruptions and escalating food safety demands in domestic and export markets.
The certified plant health specialists will play a pivotal role in transforming Taiwan's agricultural practices by guiding farmers toward more precise application of plant treatments and medications, ministry representatives explained. By providing expert diagnoses and targeted intervention recommendations, these professionals aim to significantly reduce the island's dependence on chemical pesticides, which have long raised environmental and health concerns. The Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that the establishment of this professional certification represents a cornerstone in Taiwan's broader strategy to transition toward more sustainable and environmentally responsible farming methods while maintaining productivity and food security. ◼
