In an effort to promote locally produced taro in Palau, Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) held a 3-day workshop for the second time this year with the support of Bureau of Agriculture at TTM's training center in Nekken, Aimeliik from July 16 to 18. Ambassador Wallace Chow and Madam Chow, First Lady of Palau Debbie Remengesau and some 80 people, including chefs and bakers from hotels and restaurants attended the workshop.
First Lady expressed her deep appreciation to the Taiwan Government for always providing assistance and care for the local communities. Ambassador Wallace Chow welcomed the participants and expressed that it is a pity to see good quality taros left unharvest in the field due to insufficient demand from the tourists and the local market. We hope the hardwork of the Palau ladies would pay off and pass down these valuable traditions of taro cultivation to the next generation. Therefore, we invite Miss Yiyi Lee, expert from Taiwan to exchange ideas with the local communities and find a new life for taro in Palau.
During the workshop, TTM expert Mr. Benjamin Tsai deomonstrated the taro flour making from the equippemnts shipped from Taiwan and suggested participants to use taro planted on dry land to speed up the drying process. Miss Lee brought best selling taro products from Tawan as samples and made taro products of pancake, cookies, pasta, ice cream, steamed bun and toast in the 3-day workshop.
TTM also held a brainstorming seminar on July 19 at Palasia Hotel. Chefs and bakers from Palasia Hotel, Sea Passion Hotel, Palau Royal Resort, Palm Bay Bistro, Palau Pacific Resort and PalauVisitors Authority participated in the seminar for further discussion. Miss Lee also visited the chefs of Barracuda Bar & Restaurant, Palasia Hotel, Breadfruit Tree Bakery and Ocean Star Hotel to exchange the experience on baking and usage of taro flour.
Ambassador Wallace mentioned that, TTM will have another taro processing workshop later this year. With the assistance from TTM and the effort from the local communities, we hope one day that Palau taro products can be the best-selling gifts in Palau.
圖一：楊團長邦棋向周大使及第一夫人介紹芋頭製粉設備。
圖二：團體照。
圖三：技術團蔡技師介紹芋頭削皮機。
圖4：林怡誼老師介紹製造芋頭麵條。
