Strengthening Global Ties in Organic Agriculture
On 12 September 2025, IFOAM – Organics International had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from the Hualien District Agricultural Research and Extension Station (HDARES) to our office in Bonn. Led by Director Ta-Chi Yang, the delegation, comprised of researchers from various departments, marked the start of their nearly three-week European scientific exchange with a visit to our headquarters.
As an active member of IFOAM – Organics International, HDARES has demonstrated strong support for our work — most recently as a key partner in the Organic World Congress (OWC) 2024, hosted in Taiwan. During the OWC, HDARES organised a well-received two-day bio-tour in Hualien, featuring visits to research facilities, cooperatives supporting young farmers, indigenous fish farming sites, and other initiatives highlighting Taiwan’s organic research and food systems.
This visit to Bonn served as a meaningful reunion following our flagship global event and an opportunity to continue building on the momentum generated in Taiwan.
During an engaging exchange with our Executive Director, Ravi R. Prasad, Director Yang shared HDARES’ enthusiasm for strengthening collaboration with IFOAM – Organics International and our broader global network. Reflecting on the decision to begin their European tour with us, he remarked:
Starting our exchange with IFOAM – Organics International carries symbolic meaning and sets the tone for our trip. IFOAM’s role in the global organic movement makes it the ideal first stop as we deepen our collaboration.
Director, Hualien District Agricultural Research and Extension Station
The HDARES delegation will continue their European tour with visits to organic farms and agroforestry projects near Bonn, the Thünen Institute, and various research institutions and field sites in Belgium and Switzerland.
We look forward to continued collaboration with HDARES and shared efforts to advance organic agriculture through global knowledge exchange.