Taiwan's technical missions in the island nations of the Pacific are committed to promoting sustainable agriculture. The picture shows trainees from the outer islands at the Tuvalu demonstration farm. They are all looking forward to seeing the harvest in six weeks time. (Chuang Kung-ju)

The two atoll island nations of Kiribati and Tuvalu both lack any significant landmass, and what land there is provides poor-quality soil in a fragile ecological environment. These islands have long been recognized by international experts as some of the most difficult areas in the world for any form of agriculture. The technical missions of Taiwan's International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) have, through their skill and plain hard work, overturned this theory, and have achieved what seemed an impossible task.

By generating interest in the cultivation of fruit and vegetables in these tiny island nations, Taiwan's technical experts have not only improved the livelihood and health of the islanders, but have also opened a door to the possibility of eventual environmental sustainability.

Poloie is one of the islanders helped by ICDF experts on Kiribati. On a hot August day, we visited the vegetable garden alongside his house. Covering an area of only 30 square meters, the plot was studded with fully grown Chinese cabbages with emerald-green leaves. The technical mission staff enthused: "Seeing Chinese cabbages like this on Kiribati is quite incredible!"

Fifty-year-old Poloie worked on ships for the past 20 years, his income not only allowing him to renovate his house but to also establish a small retail business. After the death of his wife two years ago, he returned to his village, bearing the burden of looking after his children and running the shop completely alone. But he has also managed to learn a bit about growing vegetables.

Poloie says that he often works in his vegetable garden, watering and digging, for an hour and a half every morning and evening, occasionally collecting chicken or pig manure from his neighbors to make compost. "Working in the vegetable garden cheers me up and provides me with regular exercise!" The technical mission will provide Poloie and others like him with 100 vegetable seedlings of various varieties from the mission's seedling center once every three weeks-at no charge. Apart from providing vegetables for his family from his garden, he can earn about AU$50 (about NT$1,500) every month by selling the excess, which provides a few extras for his family.

In Funafuti, the capital of Tuvalu, a home gardening competition jointly held by the ICDF technical mission and Tuvalu's Bureau of Agriculture over a two-month period reached a climax at the beginning of August. After judges completed their visits to all the gardens, they announced the winners and awarded prizes. Cucumbers and Chinese cabbages were the designated items in this contest, and the judging was based on yield and quality. Growers had to use only natural organic materials and maintain the environment of their gardens well. The 40 participating families all had an abundant harvest, and were all very happy because everyone won a prize.