More than NT$5 billion (US$166.21 million) in loans has been allocated for the agriculture, animal husbandry and recreational agriculture sectors as the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak in China weighs on exports, the Council of Agriculture (COA) said yesterday.
Produce, livestock and aquaculture farms, as well as farmers’ associations, export companies and other agriculture-based enterprises, are eligible to apply for the loans, COA Minister Chen Chi-chung (陳吉仲) told a news conference in Taipei.
The allocation of NT$5.03 billion might increase if agricultural losses continue due to the outbreak, Chen said, adding that the loans have a preferential interest rate of between 0.79 percent and 1.68 percent.
Photo: CNA
Applicants can opt for extended loan periods, as well as interest-only loans of two to three years, the council’s Department of Planning said.
Through government subsidies, recreational agriculture enterprises and fisheries are eligible for interest-free loans of six months with an interest rate of 1.29 percent, the department said.
The recreational agriculture industry has experienced a 20 to 30 percent decline in revenue since the Lunar New Year holiday, it added.
Industries affected by the outbreak are to be offered professional training programs on broadening their market appeal by holding themed events, installing electronic ticketing and expanding their client base, the department said.
The council would assist efforts by enterprises to expand into markets outside of China, Chen said.
A subsidy of NT$6 per kilogram is being offered by the council on exports — by sea or air — of custard apples to China, he added.
The council is offering a subsidy of NT$40 per kilogram on transport fees for exports of grouper or East Asian four-finger threadfin to Malaysia, Singapore and Japan, Chen said, adding that exports to the US and Australia would receive a subsidy of NT$50 per kilogram.
The council is in talks with markets and other groups to ensure that farmers would not have losses during the first week of school, scheduled to start on Feb. 25, Chen said, adding that consumption that week is expected to total 1,750 tonnes of produce, including 120 tonnes of eco-friendly produce.
This amount is being set aside for distribution centers that service schools because of a shorter harvest time and sales difficulties, the department said.
Stores, hypermarkets and military units in Taipei, New Taipei City, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Pingtung County could purchase the remaining produce, the department said.
Food banks and other charities would be provided eco-friendly produce based on supply available, it said.
The council said that it is also encouraging buyers to use online platforms, adding that this change could boost gross agricultural revenue by NT$1 billion or more nationwide.
The council said it is focusing on stabilizing agricultural prices.
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
The Sports Administration yesterday demanded an apology from the national table tennis association for barring 17-year-old Yeh Yi-tian (葉伊恬) from competing in the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash tournament in Las Vegas this July. The sports agency said in a statement that the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association (CTTTA) must explain to the public why it withdrew Yeh from the WTT tournament in Las Vegas. The sports agency said it contacted the association to express its disapproval of the decision-making process after receiving a complaint from Yeh’s coach, Chuang
Control Yuan Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) tendered his resignation last night, admitting that he had misused a government vehicle, as reported by media. His resignation was immediately accepted by the Control Yuan. In a statement explaining why he had resigned, Lee apologized for using a Control Yuan vehicle to transport his dog to a pet grooming salon on May 20. The issue first came to light late last month, when TVBS News reported that Lee had instructed his driver to take the dog to the salon. The news channel broadcast photos that it said were taken by an unnamed whistle-blower, which purportedly showed the
The New Taipei City Government would assist relatives of those killed or injured in last month’s car-ramming incident in Sansia District (三峽) to secure compensation, Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said yesterday, two days after the driver died in a hospital. “The city government will do its best to help the relatives of the car crash incident seek compensation,” Hou said. The mayor also said that the city’s Legal Affairs, Education and Social Welfare departments have established a joint mechanism to “provide coordinated assistance” to victims and their families. Three people were killed and 12 injured when a car plowed into schoolchildren and their
RSS