As the Chairman of TAITA (Taiwan Agricultural Information Technology Association), I take the great pleasure in announcing that AFITA 2012 will be held in Taiwan during Sep.3rd~6th, 2012.  This is the 8th international conference of AFITA (Asian Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture) since its inception in 1998, and TAITA is proud to be a part of carrying this successful tradition further.  We are also honored that this conference has been endorsed by WCCA/INFITA (World Conference on Computers in Agriculture) as one of its official activities in 2012, and will receive many distinguished scholars and practitioners from both AFITA and INFITA.

Given its long history of quality research in agriculture and vast base of IT manufacturing, Taiwan has unique things to offer for AFITA 2012.  This uniqueness can be sampled by browsing through the many agriculture-related websites of Taiwan, e.g., http://eng.coa.gov.tw/.  One would be fascinated by the diversity of Taiwan's agriculture in the areas of biotechnology, tourism, environmental sustainability, high value economy, rural development, among many others.  Lying behind and driving the development of all these areas are no other than the innovative IT applications.  To highlight this unique feature of Taiwan agriculture, the Taiwan government has made special effort to encourage research projects under government sponsorship in the past years to share their achievements in AFITA 2012.  Coupled with the outstanding stories on IT applications in agriculture we are about to receive from the international community, we cannot hide our excitements on AFITA 2012 as becoming a repertoire for our profession in the years to come.

Yet despite all the high anticipation on the exciting content of the conference, only with your participation can we make AFITA 2012 realize its milestone position in AFITA.  AFITA 2012 would not have its soul without your presence.  I expect to meet you all distinguished participants in Taiwan during the conference, and let's build a sustainable friendship to carry the IT applications in agriculture beyond.

 

Dr. San-Cheng (Simon) Chang
Chairman,
Taiwan Agricultural Information Technology Association　
Minister without Portfolio, Executive Yuan