Agriculture is the country’s “root” and should not be overlooked, despite the comparatively small financial value of its output, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said yesterday.
During a meeting at the Presidential Office with a number of agricultural experts, Ma reiterated his administration’s support for the development of the country’s agriculture.
Although agricultural output accounts for only 1.7 percent of the country’s GDP, “it is a vital part of the nation’s security because it ensures sufficient supplies of food and is an essential part of the ecosystem,” he said.
“Its importance cannot be measured simply by its monetary value,” Ma said.
“Rather than being a sunset industry, agriculture is a rising industry thanks to new technology that has given it not only a new lease off life, but also a vital role in the country,” the president said.
Ma said his administration is funneling NT$20 billion (US$625.97 million) into the development of quality agriculture to produce fresh, healthy, safe and convenient produce.
The president said the government is also pushing for a program that would allow elderly farmers to rent their land to companies or private groups to grow crops for commercial purposes.
Describing this as a “silent land reform,” Ma said that the program would revitalize agriculture by attracting younger people.
He also touted the Farm Villages Revival Act (農村再生條例) that passed the Legislative Yuan on July 14 as a feather in his administration’s cap.
He said the government would invest NT$150 billion over 10 years to improve living conditions in 4,000 farming and fishing villages.
He said the act is designed to boost the welfare of farmers rather than to benefit business groups.
Ma said that the agricultural sector would benefit from the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) which Taiwan signed with China in June, adding that it would provide a boost to agricultural exports to China.
He urged the public to take advantage of the opportunities brought about by the “golden decade” his administration has promised to create.
“The country’s prospects are brighter, and I hope you will share my view,” the president said.
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