Taiwan's Contribution
to the 2023 International Year of Millets: An Overview
In Taiwan, the cultivation
of foxtail millets by the indigenous Austronesian peoples boasts a
history spanning approximately five millennia. Over this extensive
period, various tribal communities have meticulously developed a wide
range of millet strains. However, In the past century, the cultivation
of foxtail millet has faced a severe decline, primarily attributed to
the influence of external cultures.
In 1976, the late Dr.
Wayne Hazen Fogg (1940~2021) from the United States embarked on a
mission to collect 96 distinct millet strains from 12 tribal communities
in Taiwan. These invaluable seeds were then carefully preserved within
the US National Seed Storage Laboratory.
Fast forward to 2010, when
Professor Warren H.J. Kuo from National Taiwan University expressed
interest in these seeds. In January 2011, he successfully obtained
access to them. Professor Kuo orchestrated the transfer of these seeds
to the National Genebank for both propagation and safeguarding.
Furthermore, a portion of these seeds was returned to their respective
tribal communities, facilitating the revitalization of foxtail millet
cultivation. This initiative has sparked a burgeoning movement within
indigenous communities, advocating for the revival of millets and the
cultural practices intertwined with them.
The United Nations'
declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets has catalyzed
the formation of the "Taiwan 2023 International Year of Millets
Organizing Committee" by grassroots organizations. This committee has
embarked on a multifaceted journey, categorizing their efforts into
three key themes: Events on Millet, Millet Culture, and Millet
Restoration. In addition, they have undertaken the important task of
meticulously documenting related events and news throughout the country.
Among the notable
activities are:
1. Indigenous
tribal communities hosting traditional foxtail millet planting and
harvest festivals. e.g. Foxtail millet sowing festival of the Saiku
community, Bunun tribe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htLN2h9ck5Y ; Harvesting festivalof
the Kanakanavu tribe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DTx7oz9aRA
2. The
National Crop Germplasm Bank cultivating the aforementioned 96 millet
seed varieties in fields, inviting the public to witness their growth
during the maturity stage.
https://www.agriharvest.tw/archives/100858
3. The
Taipei Botanical Garden showcasing an exhibition on foxtail millet and
related crops.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7oicthhvrU
4. Green
Media organizing a millet forum, with discussions spanning three
significant sections: Millet Revival and Culture, Millet Cuisine, and
Millet Industry. Concurrently, they are facilitating national seed
exchange events, offering opportunities for millet cuisine tasting, and
presenting a millet exhibition.
https://www.facebook.com/warren.kuo.5/posts/pfbid02xx7EnKsdo4oCVuibSt8PqNNZuZB8
rX6CygqhBtAgC3NHHMAZZu8iUYpGqP5DQhVCl
5. The
A Zhi Bao Organization hosts an exhibition that highlights their
positive outcomes of millet revival efforts, and the trilogy of their
endeavor on “Carved Panel Calendar on Millets Production”: Documentary,
Book, and Exhibition.
https://www.facebook.com/azhibao/posts/pfbid031NmeQ8LFhNXRNxR1q42JHgsHiqfajYF
mjL9LWDTCFBPQ85WPu12y5e4rawLipBbTl
Due to the extensive
nature of these activities, not all of them are eligible for
registration on the FAO's website. Therefore, a comprehensive compendium
is being compiled to record the various celebrations and initiatives of
different scales throughout Taiwan.
This compendium offers a holistic overview of the diverse range of
activities and initiatives, both large and small, that Taiwan has
undertaken to celebrate the International Year of Millets in 2023.
Millets Banquet held by《Ryori.Taiwan》and Gamaisland (1)
