President Lai Ching-te is committed to sustainable agriculture to optimize output and safeguard consumer welfare.
Lai met with recipients of a Taiwan Top Ten Agricultural Expert award Aug. 25 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. He congratulated the winners on standing out among 405 candidates and lauded their long-term contributions to advancing agricultural techniques.
The president expressed gratitude to global volunteer organization, Taiwan District of Kiwanis International and Taiwan Agricultural Exchange Association for the open and transparent selection process. He added that while the chosen ten come from different fields, they share the same spirit of innovation and perseverance.
Among the winners, Chiu Yen-hsin, associate researcher at Taiwan Seed Improvement and Propagation Station, and Chiang Po-yuan, professor at National Chung Hsing University’s Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, were recognized for plant protection and food processing respectively, the PO said.
Lai noted that the public and the private sectors should collaborate to address multiple challenges to the agriculture industry including extreme climate, restructuring of global economic order and labor shortages. He added that the government has earmarked funding of NT$18 billion (US$591 million) to offer financial support, enhance competitiveness and diversify markets for the agricultural and fishing industries.
The country will advocate for smart agriculture practices as part of strengthening resilience, the president stated. (POC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw