Taiwan leads the world in orchid exports—a tradition that younger farmers can hopefully carry on and take to new heights, Premier Chang San-cheng said in his opening remarks at the 2016 Taiwan International Orchid Show in Tainan today.
After releasing heart-shaped balloons and receiving a native Phalaenopsis amabilis orchid (known as "Taiwanese Grandma") from Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te, the premier toured several exhibits featuring stunning floral arrangements and orchid varieties. He also stopped by an orchid biotechnology zone to get a closer look at research results and the development of value-added orchid products.
Now in its 12th year, the annual event has grown into one of the world's three largest orchid shows alongside the Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival in Tokyo and the World Orchid Conference. It is a showcase to the international community of the beauty of the Taiwan-grown orchids.
"Orchids are among the nation's most important agricultural exports, ringing up overseas sales of US$194 million in 2015. Our moth orchids and spray orchids are equally renowned worldwide," Chang said.
In the field of orchid biotechnology, advanced agricultural techniques are being applied to make the flowers even more exquisite, the premier continued. Years of efforts by the Council of Agriculture to promote product traceability have also equipped Taiwan's quality varieties with certifications of origin and made the industry more competitive. Such use of biotechnology and information technology will ensure Taiwan's lead into the future.
This year's orchid show is being staged From March 12 through March 21 at the Taiwan Orchid Plantation in Tainan City (No. 325, Wushulin, Houbi District).