The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency yesterday announced major reforms to its afforestation program, shortening subsidy periods from 20 years to six years and introducing new bonus categories.
The agency said the changes establish clear goals for commercial and noncommercial forests, designed to promote a “comprehensive upgrade” in forest management.
The agency launched “Afforestation Subsidies 2.0” at a news conference in Taipei, saying the revised subsidies would take effect immediately.
Photo: Yang Yuan-ting, Taipei Times
Speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) described forests as a “strategic asset.”
“Commercial forests can be jointly managed with forestry management cooperatives, while for noncommercial forests we will promote payments for ecosystem services to highlight the value of forest conservation,” he said.
Agency Director-General Lin Hua-ching (林華慶) said the incentive program, first enacted in 2008, represented a major reform of afforestation policy, adjusting goals, tree species selection, incentive periods, bonuses and the location of afforestation areas.
The agency “invites forest farmers, public and private associations, and unincorporated associations to join afforestation and forest management,” he said.
More than 5,700 hectares of hillside terrain has already been afforested, contributing to national land conservation and greening.
The 20-year period of the previous system was “too long,” the “bonuses were based only on survival rates and the goals were unclear,” he said.
“At NT$600,000 per hectare over 20 years, almost half of it was for merit,” Lin said.
Under the new program, subsidy recipients can obtain NT$500,000 in the sixth year if requirements are met, with an additional NT$50,000 per hectare as either a reforestation subsidy or a structural lumber subsidy.
A maximum of NT$600,000 per hectare can be received in six years, Lin said, adding that the reforms also broaden the goals of afforestation.
“The value of forests will be made more diverse, with incentives for lumber production, environmental and ecological functions, developing an under-forest economy and forest therapy,” he said.
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