1.
GV Farmworkers loading hay
0.06

2.
GV&SV Maize being loaded onto conveyor belt and seed being piled up (2 shots)
0.16

3.
GV Maize seeds in bags being boxed and Cu Sign on boxes: "made in Taiwan"
0.22

4.
LV Van drives through laboratory grounds
0.26

5.
SCU Sign: "Provincial Seed-Testing Laboratory"
0.29

6.
SVs Technicians grading seed (3 shots)
0.42

7.
MV&CU Technician testing seed-moisture content in electronic machine (3 shots)
0.50

8.
GTV&CUS Seeds being prepared for growth tests in labs (3 shots)
1.10

9.
SV PAN Technicians watering lab seedlings (2 shots)
1.22

10.
CU ZOOM OUT Technician picks out full-grown pea shoots
1.28

11.
CU Fully-grown pea pods
1.33

12.
CU Woman polinates flower in greenhouse (3 shots)
1.49



Initials ET/1604 ET 1631



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Taiwan is steadily gaining a reputation as an international seed-supply country -- having produced nearly 40 varieties of vegetable and fruit seeds for export.

There are more than 300 seed-producing companies on the island which are constantly seeking to widen the range.

Taiwan's seed-production industry became even more important when it was chosen as the base of a research centre run by the Unite States and five other Asian nations ... Japan, Vietnam the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand.

The centre -- manned by botanists from these countries -- is working to improve the quality of seeds for farmers to help them raise their yield and the quality of their crops, and (in the long run) to raise the standard of nutrition in Asia.

Apart from this spin-off industry, the Taiwanese Government has been active in promoting agriculture in general, both at home and abroad. It has organised many agricultural seminars for its farmers and those from South East Asian, Middle Est, African and Latin American countries.

The Government said its interest in agriculture had paid off; it had been able too produce enough food to feed its population of 16 million people and a surplus for export.

SYNOPSIS: Taiwan -- where agriculture is still an important industry. With the backing of the Government. Taiwanese farmers have had the benefit of better seeds and other technical aids to help them boost their harvest. each year, the country produces enough food for its sixteen million people wit ha surplus -- like seed corn -- for export.

Over the years, laboratory technicians patiently work on their experiments on new varieties of fruit and vegetable seeds. There are many laboratories like this throughout the country. Taiwan has more than three hundred seed-producing companies. Together, they produce about forty varieties for export to many South East Asian, Middle East, African and Latin American countries.

Taiwan's seed production gained additional importance when it was chosen as a base for a research centre by six Asian countries and the United States. The centre was set up last year to provide better seeds for farmers to help them raise their yield and the quality of their crops, and -- in the long run -- to raise the standard of nutrition in Asia. Apart from its seed production, Taiwan has also been interested in promoting agriculture in general. It has hosted many such seminars, attended mainly by African countries. The Government also organises seminars for local farmers regularly.

Although the Taiwanese seem to have concentrated mainly on fruit and vegetable seeds, they are also building up a thriving business sin flower seeds -- again, mainly for export.