Premier Jiang Yi-huah called for widespread support of Taiwanese agriculture and aquaculture today at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Top 100 Premium Agricultural Products of Farmers' and Fishermen's Associations in Taiwan.
"Taiwanese farms and fisheries have increased the quality of their products significantly and formed specialty industries. They are able to develop a great number of goods, which can be exported or given as gifts and rival those of any other country in the world," he affirmed. "Hence, I hope every sector will provide them with more support."
"These products are in accordance with the principle of local production and consumption," the premier said. "What's more, every year new products replace old ones, which is stunning.
"From this we can see the combined efforts of the Council of Agriculture, agricultural and fisheries research institutes, agricultural research and extension stations, farmers' and fishermen's associations and farmers and fishermen themselves. Originally primary industries, Taiwanese farming and fishing have produced excellent products through cultivation, processing and continual trials.
"Through the efforts of these parties, Taiwanese agricultural and aquacultural goods are so stellar that 'giving them is a great generosity, and once gone they are missed forever.' This level of quality and class has already surpassed traditional native industries. Not only have these items been developed domestically as gifts; they can also be exported.
"The products at today's exhibition have all passed farmers' and fishermen's associations' rigorous selection and certification procedures. Consumers can learn about the products they are considering by reading their labels," the premier assured.
"I am certain that anyone who carefully peruses the products at this exhibition will leave with greater belief in Taiwanese agriculture. Following the past few years of development, its products have not only great quality but also high value. They are sufficient to satisfy the domestic market and to be amply exported simultaneously.
"If brands are established and access channels broadened, our agriculture can absolutely flourish. Moreover, our exquisite and value-added agriculture will play a major role in the Free Economic Pilot Zones," Jiang concluded.