Yu, who addressed the closing ceremony yesterday afternoon, said that the government wanted to establish an agricultural financing system that can safeguard the best interest of farmers and fishermen.
"There's no doubt that we'll continue down the road of reform. We may adjust our steps along the way but we'll never stop," Yu said. "I'm here to guarantee you that we'll make good on our promises and take care of the well-being of farmers and fishermen."
However, injecting more government funding into the agricultural sector is not the only way to improve the industry, Yu said.
"Taiwan's agricultural sector has to transform itself from being labor-intensive to being more technology-based to survive in an age of globalization and digitalization," he said. Regarding a NT$15 billion agricultural development fund and a NT$10 billion relief fund for the loss of local agricultural produce caused by cheaper imported agricultural goods, Yu said that the government will present amendments to related laws if the public reaches a consensus on the issue.
The legislature has approved the NT$15 billion agricultural development fund which will be allocated in 10 years' time. Farmers and fishermen, however, requested that the government allocate the amount in four years.
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