Faculty and Students from Nihon University Visit NCHU Farmers' Market and Micro General Education Course for a Deeper Exchange in Agricultural and Food Culture

A group of faculty and students from the Department of Food Business at Nihon University recently visited National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) to engage in academic exchanges with related departments from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This exchange program, organized with the assistance of the Graduate Institute of Bio-Industry Management, included academic discussions with the Ph.D. program in International Agriculture, the Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Additionally, the group conducted on-site visits to better understand Taiwan’s agricultural business models and supply chain operations, further fostering collaboration between the two institutions.

Toward the end of their visit, the delegation from Nihon University explored the "NCHU Organic Farmers' Market" and participated in the university’s USR (University Social Responsibility) micro general education course, Let’s Talk About Ingredients. Through this course, participants gained insights into the development of organic agriculture in Taiwan, the differences in distribution models, and the operational mechanisms of farmers' markets. Additionally, the faculty and students had a hands-on experience making Taiwanese spring rolls (潤餅, rùn bǐng), a traditional food eaten during the Qingming Festival, allowing them to immerse themselves in Taiwan’s unique agricultural and food culture.

Professors Tokuya Kawate and Shohei Sato, who led the delegation, remarked, "During these nine days, we traveled from north to south, visiting various agricultural production sites, processing facilities, and distribution channels. This has given us a more comprehensive understanding of Taiwan’s food supply chain. The experience at the farmers’ market was particularly impactful—not only did students expand their knowledge of food culture, but they also gained a deeper appreciation of food through hands-on interaction. This kind of multi-sensory experience resonates with students on a profound level."

Keita Arai, one of the participating students, shared his thoughts: "Before coming here, we had already learned about farmers' markets in class, but seeing one in person allowed me to truly appreciate its cleanliness, organization, and the wealth of information available. It was an eye-opening experience." Another student, Takahiro Okamoto, added, "Although Nihon University occasionally organizes farmers' markets, they are much smaller in scale and lack the history of NCHU’s market. It was amazing to see a university working closely with organic farmers to run such a well-established market."

Professor Shang-Ho Yang from the Graduate Institute of Bio-Industry Management, who coordinated the visit, noted that since 2016, Nihon University’s Department of Food Business has made annual visits to NCHU. In addition to academic exchanges, the itinerary includes visits to various production sites such as Leezen Headquarters, Baoshu Natural Tea Garden, Guagua Yuan, Mushroom Tribe, Jiadong Farmers’ Association, The Honey Thief Apiary, and NCHU’s student-run store. These visits offer a comprehensive view of the six-tiered industry model, covering everything from production to service. By experiencing Taiwan’s agricultural and food culture firsthand, students are able to put their department’s core philosophy—"Bringing happiness to people through food"—into practice.

Now in its 17th year, the NCHU Organic Farmers' Market plays a vital role in the university’s community. Market Manager Wen-Jen Yang highlighted that the market not only provides high-quality organic products to local residents and university members while increasing farmers’ income but also serves as an educational platform. By integrating micro general education courses and international exchange activities, students gain hands-on experience in organic agriculture, fulfilling the university’s social responsibility in a meaningful and impactful way.