To achieve our commitment to developing a healthy, efficient, sustainable agricultural sector, the COA promoted the Quality Agricultural Development Program (hereafter, referred to as “the Program”) which has three goals: creating a toxin-free island, becoming an agricultural technology leader, and developing into a key destination for agro-tourism. Efforts to achieve these core themes are detailed below:

1. Healthful Agriculture – Strengthening quality certification to make Taiwan branding and testing for a toxin-free island

(1) The COA expanded promotion of the GAP Produce Safety Production System, establishing GAP model farms and orchards to demonstrate safe pesticide usage, while providing guidance to GAP certification applicants. We also strengthened control over use of the GAP name in the marketplace and amped up random in-field and retail location testing in order to maintain GAP standards. We improved distribution channels by establishing a close relationship between suppliers and marketers and counseled farmers in the use of GAP certification to improve the marketing of fruits and vegetables for export.

(2) The COA introduced a plan to expand organic farmland. By developing organic farming zones into tourist destinations on land owned by the Taiwan Sugar Corporation, veterans’ farms, and previously fallow land, local residents will benefit from the influx of tourists. The COA assisted farmers to farm organically and apply for relevant certification, while also strengthening the abilities of certification bodies and implementing certification audits, product quality inspections, and labeling management. We also assisted in establishing logistic centers in the organic zones, to set up a variety of distribution pathways. Religious organizations and volunteers threw themselves into organic production and promotion, strengthening consumer awareness through the celebration of National Organic Produce Day.

(3) The COA promoted a traceability system for agricultural products, selected appropriate products to connect up to an international traceability system, strengthened mutual authentication of product histories with other nations, and simplified customs clearance procedures to expand marketing overseas.

(4) The COA established a seamless agricultural product safety management system, strengthened source control, and established a crop health management model. To prevent substandard goods from entering the marketplace, we strengthened drug residue testing and management at each step along the distribution channel for fruits and vegetables, at the production site, distribution centers, and retail outlets.

(5) By promoting CAS certified premium agricultural products, the COA has spurred quality improvements in domestic agricultural products to increase their competitiveness and differentiate them from imported goods. In order to ensure consumer faith in CAS and improve brand image, the COA has strengthened the CAS certification system through audits and testing, ensuring that CAS-certified products indeed meet the required standards. Domestic CAS certified beef and cow and sheep’s milk entered the market for the first time, giving consumers a choice of high-quality products that they know meet safety standards.