The Republic of China's agricultural mission at Montijo in Panama was often visited by the late Panamanian President Torrijos. As a result of his interest, and his expressions of concern for farmers in isolated mountain regions, the ROC established a second mission in San Jose del General, a station which was so remote that equipment had to be flown in by helicopter.
Members of the mission discovered that the farmers they were dealing with were very conservative, and had received little education. As a result, much time and care was needed to befriend them and persuade them to adopt more advanced methods of cultivation. It was on his way to one of these stations that Gen. Torrijos was killed when his helicopter crashed a few months ago.
After making good progress helping farmers to plant vegetables, ROC mission leader, Su Chao-hung, turned his attention to animal husbandry. Panama already had a strong beef industry, and Su thought that hog raising could also be successfully introduced, particularly since it took up so little space. As the project progressed, specialists and veterinarians joined the mission. Later, the mission turned to fish-breeding, and as local skills developed, the need for outside help was reduced. Other activities helped by the ROC team were shrimp and duck raising, water conservation and irrigation.
At first, the Panamanian authorities were not too concerned over water conservation, because there appeared to be no shortage in this rainy tropical country. But members of the mission pointed out that as population grew, more land would have to be opened up to cultivation, and irrigation plans should be worked out as soon as possible. The Panamanians appreciated concern of this kind for long-term planning shown by the ROC team, and its advice is frequently sought.
Team members have always worked closely with Panamanian experts and farmers, enabling them to win their trust and thereby fully meet local needs.
"It was gratifying to be treated as friends and not as outsiders. The trust and support of the local people has made all our hard work worthwhile."
When the current Panamanian President toured several villages and asked farmers about their needs, he received the unanimously reply: "Whatever you do, don't let the ROC agricultural mission leave!"
As a result of the success, the Panamanian government invited a marine fishing mission in August, 1974. Apart from sending seven technicians, the ROC has also provided a 23-ton demonstration fishing boat, the Amistad.
At first, the fishing mission stayed with the agricultural mission in Montijo, where it investigated the industry and trained fishermen. During this period, team members discovered new places to fish for the red snapper, which has now become a major export earner for Panama. The mission has trained more than 150 fishermen and helped cooperatives to establish marketing networks, as well as instituting a technical training program.
In Taiwan, the agricultural assistance missions are known for their large numbers of highly skilled technicians. Not only have the mission contributed to the development of agriculture and fisheries in Panama, but they have also generated a great deal of goodwill.
The first mission arrived in Panama in April, 1970, with eight members led by Su Chao-hung. Its two-year term of duty has been extended five times. Although there have been changes in personnel over the years, Su has been leader since the beginning.
An experienced agriculturalist who has long promoted such cooperative ventures, Su has managed to coordinate the missions' activities with those of the government. After graduating from the Taichung Agricultural College, now the National Chunghsing University, he worked in the Taiwan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry before going to the U.S. for further studies. On returning to Taiwan, he worked on soybean and corn production.
When the mission arrived in Panama 12 years ago, its members found themselves in a large, sparsely populated country where much of the land had not been opened up to cultivation. Team members were eager to help, but at first the Panamanian government was unsure how to coordinate their work. Eventually, however, the mission was sent to Montijo.
Because of language difficulties and the unfamiliar environment, it was not possible to instruct farmers directly, and instead the mission established demonstration plots.
These plots were first planted with rice, because ROC technicians understood that crop the best. Although the plots were successful, it soon became evident that Taiwan farming methods were not always suitable for Panama. Team members therefore switched to other vegetables which required little land and proved to be fast-growing cash crops.
[Picture Caption]
1. Historic ruins near Panama City. 2. A mission member explains to farmers how to tell when watermelons are ripe. 3. Mission leader Su Chao-hung discussing ways to improve plant growth rates.
1. Hog raising expert, Hung Hung-yang, inspecting pigsties. 2. Ducks raised at the mission's demonstration farm. 3. The mission has enjoyed success with its chicken-raising program at Salamanca. 4. ROC expert, Pan Ching-mu, discusses incubation with his Panamanian counterpart. 5. Scallions at this Panamanian market have been grown with the assistance of the ROC agricultural mission. 6.7. At this shrimp breeding center, ROC technicians work together with their Panamanian counterparts.
1. Mission members grow Lien Wu, a fruit popular in Taiwan, to remind them of home. 2. The mission's headquarters in San Diego. 3. Technician Lu Tsao-hsiung, who maintains the mission's agricultural equipment, is seen here training a Panamanian mechanic. 4. Fishing industry mission leader Chen pours drinks to welcome team members back from a sea voyage at a harbor restaurant. 5. Letting out nets at sea. 6. At sea on the Amistad. 7. Unloading the catch.
Sights in Panama City
A mission member explains to farmers how to tell when watermelons are ripe.
Mission leader Su Chao-hung discussing ways to improve plant growth rates.
Hog raising expert, Hung Hung-yang, inspecting pigsties. 2.
Ducks raised at the mission's demonstration farm.
The mission has enjoyed success with its chicken-raising program at Salamanca.
ROC expert, Pan Ching-mu, discusses incubation with his Panamanian counterpart.
Scallions at this Panamanian market have been grown with the assistance of the ROC agricultural mission.
At this shrimp breeding center, ROC technicians work together with their Panamanian counterparts.
At this shrimp breeding center, ROC technicians work together with their Panamanian counterparts.
Mission members grow Lien Wu, a fruit popular in Taiwan, to remind them of home.
The mission's headquarters in San Diego.
Technician Lu Tsao-hsiung, who maintains the mission's agricultural equipment, is seen here training a Panamanian mechanic.
Fishing industry mission leader Chen pours drinks to welcome team members back from a sea voyage at a harbor restaurant.
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