The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has granted patent protection to Citrus taiwanica, a species traditionally utilized by the Saisiyat Indigenous people. This initiative marks Taiwan's first instance of securing intellectual property rights for a native crop to ensure that benefits from modern research return to the original community. Once near extinction, the plant, known as Nanzhuang orange, has been restored through a collaborative project that planted over 5,000 trees. Scientific research has identified potential health benefits, including the treatment of respiratory ailments, which could support a sustainable green industry for the tribe. By licensing the patent to a Saisiyat cooperative, the government aims to preserve traditional knowledge while fostering economic development. This model of access and benefit sharing is intended to serve as a framework for protecting other Indigenous agricultural resources under the national Biodiversity Act.
Source : Focus Taiwan
