Taiwan's food self-sufficiency is only 32%, a hidden national security crisis.
The episode begins with host Lin Erxiang introducing guest Jian Youxin, Chairman of the Taiwan Sustainable Energy Foundation, to discuss sustainable agriculture in the context of COP28 outcomes. Jian explains that COP28 produced many initiatives, including the Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action Declaration, which garnered 159 signatories—more than the net-zero declaration. He distinguishes between climate mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (adjusting to inevitable changes), noting agriculture must address both. A major focus is the adaptation challenge, such as redesigning infrastructure for more extreme floods and addressing new climate-related diseases. The conversation shifts to Taiwan's specific vulnerability: its food self-sufficiency rate is only 32% based on caloric intake, far lower than Japan or South Korea, making food security a critical issue alongside energy security. Jian warns that Taiwan faces significant risk from typhoons or blockades. He critiques the term "sustainable" as often being mere "greenwashing" unless it integrates economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The UN declaration calls for integrating food and agriculture into national adaptation plans, reviewing policies, mobilizing finance, and fostering innovation. After a break, Jian presents a case study on Japanese ketchup company Kagome. He describes how CEO Mikio Saito visited a farm in Akita Prefecture where summer temperatures have risen from 32°C to nearly 38°C since the 1970s, exemplifying the "global boiling" era. Climate impacts like drought in California and Portugal threaten Kagome's tomato supply. Jian notes agriculture is both a victim and a contributor to climate change due to fertilizer emissions. Kagome partnered with NEC to form DXAS, an ag-tech company using AI to optimize farming. Experiments in Spain and Portugal showed a 20% reduction in fertilizer use and a 30% increase in yield, significantly lowering carbon footprint. Kagome also diversified sourcing globally to mitigate climate risks. The episode concludes with a discussion on local sourcing in Japan, where consumers support domestic produce despite higher costs—like carrots at 200 yen/kg versus imported at 47 yen/kg—as part of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) practices. Jian emphasizes that sustainable agriculture requires balancing economic viability, social welfare (like supporting farmers), and environmental protection to avoid greenwashing.
