Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) has helped Indonesian people in Karawang district and Bandung city, West Java province during the COVID-19 pandemic.

TTM has worked with the Karawang district administration to provide agricultural resources for cooperative farmers to grow high-quality vegetables, according to a written statement from the Taipei Economic and Trade Office (TETO) received by Indonesia Window here on Monday.

The various vegetables that were planted and harvested, were then brought to public kitchens in a number of villages in Jayakerta district.

At those public facilities, the agricultural products were processed into delicious and nutritious dishes for a number of poor families. The activity which has been going on for about a month has benefited 6,900 families.

The TTM activity was welcomed very warmly by local residents.

Head of Jayakerta sub-district, Budiman Achmad, thanked TTM for its participation in a public kitchen project that ensures food supplies for poor families.

Meanwhile, in Bandun, TTM maintains local crop production by subsidizing agricultural materials for farmers, and donating a portion of agricultural produce to the less fortunate.

Together with the National Agricultural Training Center (BBPP) in Lembang, West Java as project partners, the Taiwan Technical Mission assists 33 vulnerable groups in Bandung, including Islamic boarding schools, orphanages, nursing homes and other foundations.

More than 55 tons of agricultural products were donated to around 6,000 people.

The leader of TTM in Indonesia, Moh Gwo Jong, said that Taiwanese experts who live in villages together with grassroots farmers were working together to pursue progress and express empathy over the hardships due to COVID-19.

At the same time, farmers are encouraged to participate in joint projects to overcome difficulties and create better conditions.

"I take part in various relief and donation activities in Bandung and Karawang, which are our project areas. The farmers personally received material assistance from TTM, and realized that they could receive technical guidance and assistance on storing, transportation and other support measures. TTM provides various supports to overcome the emergency," Moh Gwo Jong said.

The principal of Darul Inayah Islamic Boarding School, H. Asep Sodikin, said that material donations meant a lot to them, and suggested that TTM and cooperatives provide students with food and agricultural guiandance.

Meanwhile, Nyanyang Kurnia Sanusi, Head of Cipanas village in Cianjur district, said the farmers who participated in the production assistance project from Taiwan were diligent and honest.

The Taiwan Agricultural Engineering Mission has been conducting activities in Indonesia for nearly 44 years.

The results of the TTM guidance can still be seen in all regions of Indonesia.

Current major project implementations are the development of superior rice seeds in South Sulawesi; the development and cultivation of intensified agricultural enterprises in Bandung (West Java); and horticultural development in Karawang (West Java).

Through cooperation and exchange of agricultural technology, as well as sharing experiences and crop cultivation technology, Taiwan helps Indonesian farmers improve crop production and quality, augment incomes and raise community livelihoods.

Reporting by Indonesia Window