Industrialization and applications of agro-technology

Industrialization of agro-technology R&D

　　The COA is very pro-active about protecting and applying the results of research and development. In 2015, the COA obtained intellectual property rights (IPRs) that included 22 patents and 15 plant variety rights. There were 133 new cases of technology transfer, and income from R&D results produced by the COA totaled NT$74.66 million. Licensing of plant variety rights was especially profitable. Varieties planted nationally, including the Tainong No.3 wax apple, the Tainan No.13 cantaloupe melon, and the No.7 papaya seedling, yielded NT$8.65 million.

　　As of the end of 2015, the COA’s “AGTECH Projects” program had subsidized 115 projects with more than NT$860 million. The “AGTECH Project for Research Institutes” drove NT$64.54 million in R&D investment from the private sector, with derivative investment of NT$290 million, while the “AGTECH Project for Enterprises” drove NT$292 million in R&D investment from the private sector, with derivative investment of NT$1 billion and production value of NT$520 million. There were also 44 projects for industry-academia cooperation and eight projects for commercialization of technology by enterprises. These included a policy-driven industry-academia cooperation project to develop an industry for manufacturing micro-bio-fungicide using endemic streptomyces.

　　The COA also hosted the “Agricultural Pavilion” at the 2015 Taipei International Invention Show and TechnoMart, exhibiting and marketing 41 technologies with strong potential, out of which there were 24 cases of technology transferred with licensing fees for the COA of NT$16.82 million. At the same time at the TechnoMart venue the Agricultural Technology Research Institute (ATRI) organized a conference on applications of technology via the “Agricultural Productivity 4.0” program with 151 participants from industry, government, and academia. In addition, throughout 2015 ATRI’s “three institutes and one center” provided a number of industrial services including: (a) GLP (good laboratory practices) services, (b) the SPF laboratory pig animal supply system, and (c) a testing and inspection technologies platform (ATRI was commissioned to conduct 41 cases of testing and/or inspection). The COA’s total income from agro-technology applications was NT$58.77 million, with NT$6.17 million in income from technology transfer, and we also guided private business to increase capital by NT$520 million.

Development of high-efficiency and energy-saving agro-industries

　　In 2015 the COA had a number of achievements associated with more efficiency in the rural economy, including: (1) Integrating rainwater harvesting technology with fertigation systems using remote sensing. This can save fertilizer, time, and labor while groundwater use is also reduced substantially. Using this approach the fruit and vegetable industry can develop to its full potential. (2) Completing development of a new high-productivity and labor-saving cultivation method for jelly fig. This method reduces water use by over 50% and energy costs by nearly NT$6000 per hectare. (3) Completing R&D work for a heat-pump-condensation drying machine. This can be used in greenhouse cooling or agro-products drying through heat exchange. This device is not only energy-efficient but also pollution-free, and has low operating costs. It has a coefficient of performance greater than 3.60. If operated in coordination with large cold and hot water tanks during off-peak hours, it can save even more in electricity costs.

Guidance of technology-based agro-businesses

　　In 2015 the COA supervised and guided eight agricultural center-satellite systems. In addition, we promoted ten cases of upgrading of agro-businesses. Our efforts resulted in investments of NT$53.12 million in agro-businesses, and increased their overall revenues by NT$97.18 million. One especially noteworthy case was our first attempt at “dual system guidance,” in which we guided coordination between two companies—the Changhua Mushroom Production Collective and the Sun Fresh Company—so that each could, using its own strengths, help the other upgrade quality and they could work together to increase their orders from outside.

　　We also continued to hold our training course for cross-disciplinary personnel for agro-technology (2015 was the tenth year of the program). In 2015 we trained 55 persons and raised their knowledge and skills with respect to protecting and applying agriculture-related intellectual property rights and innovative R&D. We also held the 2015 edition of the “Good Idea” competition for agro-businesses, at which 51 teams demonstrated their ideas in search of investors. Of these, 24 teams successfully attracted investment totaling NT$8.68 million. Such events are very important to turning creative and innovative ideas for agriculture into reality.

　　Finally, the COA guided 22 agro-businesses to adjust their capital structures and financial models, and we also successfully mediated NT$51.99 million in investment by venture capital firms in three agro-businesses. Moreover, two agro-businesses—Taste Technology and MangoChaCha—successfully registered on the “Go Incubation Board for Startup and Acceleration Firms” (GISA) of the Taiwan stock exchange.

Internationalization of the animal vaccine industry

　　Taiwan’s animal vaccine industry has great potential to be competitive on an international level, and the COA has been promoting upgrading of vaccine research and searching for international partners. To help the industry reach international standards more quickly, the Agricultural Technology Research Institute (ATRI) has brought in four quality certification systems (cGMP, GLP, GCP, and the GLP compliance seed transfer platform). ATRI has also constructed: (i) an animal bio-pharmaceuticals review and approval mechanism, and (ii) a testing-and-inspection registration support platform. These will speed up the review and approval timeline.

　　Thanks to the development of advanced and mature vaccination technology, ATRI has signed a global licensing agreement with Bayer of Germany for a one-shot vaccine for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin vaccine. Finally, as a result of the COA’s participation in an international trade exhibition, the American company Pacific GeneTech will set up a subsidiary in Taiwan, and will apply to enter the ATRI Incubation Center, making them the first foreign company to do so.

Constructing agricultural cloud services

Constructing an “agricultural data cloud”

　　In order to promote optimal use of agricultural production resources, the COA is constructing a mechanism that cross-checks data on farmers, land, crops, and government policy measures. We have already archived 2.09 million pieces of farmland data, covering about 500,000 hectares of cultivated area, and linked this with data on over 430,000 farmers. This coordination of data will speed up handling of tasks such as crop subsidies and disaster relief, and will upgrade administrative efficiency.

　　We have also publicly released 7.81 million pieces of agricultural data (in 350 datasets in ten categories). This data is fully discoverable and usable by end users. The private sector has, on their own initiative, already developed more than 20 applications to engage in value-added use of these datasets. In addition, we are using diversified channels of information transmission in the cloud to integrate data on things like market information, costs, and production volume, which allows us to stay up-to-date and also to provide comprehensive cloud services on supply and demand conditions in the agro-products market.

　　The agricultural cloud is also valuable in promoting traceability of agricultural products. Aspects of this work include the following: (1) Traceability for domestic beef has achieved a 100% ratio of clearances of tag numbers to number of cattle slaughtered. (2) We have strengthened traceability for organic products, CAS premium agro-products, and place-of-origin for domestic tea. (3) We have expanded the scope of agro-product traceability by establishing a production traceability QR Code system for agro-products (including non-packed eggs) and anyone can access this information.

Promoting integrated data services for farmers

　　In coordination with the development of agriculture cloud services, the COA now provides integrated services to farmers through use of each farmer’s bar-code ID. In 2015, we completed the computerization of all procedures for subsidies or tax breaks that the COA offers to farmers for fuel and fertilizer, so that all applications and record-keeping are done digitally.

　　Fuel: Based on the farmer’s individual bar-code ID, the system will, each year, automatically approve a certain amount of tax-free fuel. The farmer then need only present his or her ID and “certification of use of agricultural machinery” when purchasing fuel, and he or she can enjoy the tax exemption. This eliminates the former complex procedure of paper tax exemption vouchers requiring multiple trips back and forth to local government offices for farmers. Through 2015 over 63,000 farmers had applied to join this new system for allotments of tax-free fuel, and there were records of more than 720,000 purchases of fuel.

　　Fertilizer: Nationwide a total of 1843 fertilizer operators now use the computerized system for farmers to purchase fertilizer and to register subsidies for such purchases simply by using their ID numbers. This new system eliminates the need for the old hand-written paper registrations. More than 340,000 farmers have used the system to register for subsidy payments, with a total of 1.8 million payments.

Applying information and communications technology (ICT) to agriculture

　　ICT can be applied to the rural economy in many ways. One of our projects for management of agricultural production is called the “Mobility Farm Production Management (MFPM) System.” Through this system we are introducing mobile Apps, near-field communication (NFC), QR Codes, and location-based technology to the management of agricultural production. This MFPM System is also linked to the land databank of the Ministry of the Interior and the agriculture traceability system. It will allow us to: (a) strengthen management and monitoring of production operations, land cultivation, and agro-product safety; (b) simplify the user process for production management; and (c) upgrade management of land cultivation and the efficiency of operations right in the fields where farming is actually done.

　　We have also developed a system for “digitized” and “smart” technology for aquaculture. This system integrates solar-power generation instruments and modules, digital electricity-usage meters, digital water-usage meters, and water-quality monitoring devices. It allows us: (a) to better monitor and control the aquaculture environment, and (b) to achieve our goals of reducing energy use, reducing water use, and lowering feeding costs. In addition, the installation of water-heating equipment enables increases of over three degrees Celsius in water temperature, which should reduce losses from cold weather. Use of solar power can, over the course of one year, save roughly NT$46,800 in electricity bills. Meanwhile, for an aquaculture operation of 10 ponds, monthly water use can be reduced by an estimated 25,920 metric tons.

　　The COA has also constructed an ICT system for identifying the most and least productive geese. This allows farmers to screen out the roughly 20% of female geese that do not lay eggs, thereby saving on feeding costs. Applications have already been filed for patents for the relevant technology in both mainland China and Taiwan, and we are guiding operators to join the Livestock Research Incubator of the Livestock Research Institute in order to increase the competitiveness of the production of breeding geese.

　　Another application of ICT to agriculture is the “integrated services platform” we have built for the supply chain for agro-products. We have completed the interface of data for supply and sales, including: (i) suppliers, (ii) cultivated land, (iii) crops, (iv) pesticide-residue test results, and (v) transactions in fruits and vegetables. The system also provides flood season data and label scanning and inspection at wholesale markets. The platform links supply-chain data from production through transport through sale. It will increase the efficiency of transactions at wholesale markets, as well as improve the traceability of products from their source and throughout their movements.

　　The COA also offers ICT services tailored specifically to rural producers. We broadcast dynamic audio-video information through the 430 “electronic bulletin boards” installed at farmers’ and fishermen’s associations nationwide. Also, given the widespread adoption of mobile devices, through diversified dissemination channels and our smartphone App, the COA automatically: (a) sends out individualized agricultural information to farmers; (b) transmits news about agricultural policies; and (c) provides the latest updates on agricultural conditions. In 2015, these services were provided to rural producers more than 1.61 million man-times.

Applying ICT to “Value-Added Agriculture”

　　As part of the government’s program to promote “Value-Added Agriculture,” the applications of ICT play an important role. Our initial focus has been on the Pingtung Agricultural Biotechnology Park (PABP), where we have deepened the functions of the “Service E-Net for PABP Enterprises,” which is a cloud concourse platform for Value-Added Agriculture and interfaces with online customs services. The Service E-Net provides PABP enterprises with services that include: (a) single on-line sign-in to access all the various systems and services, (b) online filing and review of customs forms, (c) bonding matters and tax services, (d) quality control for restricted products, (e) import and export controls for marine animals, (f) handling of applications for inspection and quarantine and certificates of origin, (g) e-account books, and (h) end-user auditing for customs convenience. Through the channeling and unification of data streams, administrative procedures (such as remote inspection and quarantine and customs clearance) are greatly simplified. Bringing together data from all networks makes possible more efficient control and management of cargo volume and movements, and allows better and faster statistical analysis. Finally, this integrated system also meets policy benchmarks of openness and efficiency.

　　Given that our goal is always to help enterprises enjoy the upgraded international competitiveness that comes with systematic application of ICT to their operations, in order to assist PABP enterprises to utilize all the various services provided by the Value-Added Agriculture cloud platform, the authorities provide customization of ICT services, training to investors, and responses to case-specific inquiries from users.

Expanding markets for Taiwan agro-products internationally
and in mainland China

International marketing of Taiwan agro-products

　　In order to expand foreign markets for Taiwan agro-products, in 2015 the COA: (a) guided domestic agro-business associations and farmers groups to participate in 39 overseas exhibitions; (b) held 42 export promotion events to spread information about foreign sales channels; and (c) established two long-term overseas sales centers for Taiwan agro-products. To assist premium certified-safe domestic agro-products to advance into the international market, we organized the “Taiwan Pavilion” at the 2015 “Food Taipei” trade show. We selected 99 outstanding companies to show at the pavilion (which emphasized the theme of food safety), and also invited a panel of food-products experts to choose the “Top Ten Innovative New Products from the Taiwan Pavilion.”

　　The COA is also targeting future trade opportunities in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. With this goal in mind, in 2015 the COA organized agro-businesses from various fields (including materials, flowers, ornamental fish, animal vaccines, fresh agro-products, and processed agro-products) to attend the Food Ingredients Asia trade fair (September 9-11 in Bangkok) and the 4th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (November 10-12).

　　The COA also has a standing program for training of professionals in the international marketing of agro-products and we are cultivating highly qualified people from Taiwan in the field of agro-products trade. In 2015 activities included one overseas observation and learning group, and 89.5 hours of courses and forums. In addition we have a standing program for case-by-case guidance of selected firms that export agro-products with the goal of helping them with branding. We have completed guidance to ten firms, assisting them in improving the design of their packaging and in establishing their brand names.

　　Fisheries products also constitute important exports from the rural economy. In 2015 the Fisheries Agency (FA) participated in the “2015 Taiwan International Fisheries and Seafood Show,” held November 19-21 at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center. At the event the FA organized a special pavilion to display the application of technology to Taiwan’s fishing industry, do marketing for the fishing industry, and attract participation by private-sector firms. The event also included a conference entitled “International Fisheries Development Workshops: For Sustainable Resources Utilization and Management” (held on November 20). It was attended by businesspeople, officials, and scholars from 12 countries plus Taiwan, creating new opportunities for exchanges with other countries. A representative of the FA delivered remarks on the subject “The Management and Development of Taiwan for Sustainable Fisheries,” sharing Taiwan’s experience in fisheries management.

　　In 2015, the value of exports of agro-products from Taiwan was US$4.876 billion. The five items that increased most in export value were eel (130.36%), rice (568.74%), pineapples (187.16%), tea (24.50%), and mangoes (55.72%).

Expanding Taiwan’s share of the agro-products market in mainland China

　　Owing to the adoption of policies like the opening of direct shipping and flights between Taiwan and mainland China, and also the signing of the cross-strait “Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement,” mainland China has become the number one market for exports of agro-products from Taiwan. In 2015 the number of ports to which Taiwan could directly ship live seafood rose to 23, ensuring a stable basis for the live grouper trade. In 2015 13,515 metric tons were transported to the mainland.

　　In addition, the COA: (a) assisted farmers’ and fishermen’s associations from Taiwan to participate in a total of 19 general or specialized trade fairs or exhibitions in mainland China; (b) cooperated with mainland sales channels in organizing six marketing events for agro-products from Taiwan; and (c) continued to aggressively promote Taiwan flowers, fruit, tea, and ornamental fish, as well as the “Top 100 Products of Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Associations,” to the mainland market. In addition, we continued to assist Taiwan agro-product exporters to build long-term, stable sales channels in the mainland.

　　In 2015 the value of agricultural exports to mainland China was US$1 billion, an increase of 0.29% over 2014. While in 2008 Taiwan had a deficit of US$282 million in cross-strait trade in agro-products, by 2013 this had become a surplus of US$13.97 million, and in 2015 the surplus reached US$90.12 million. The top four fresh agro-products in terms of their rate of growth in value of exports were pineapples (207.51%), tea (74.63%), sugar apples (47.13%), and mangoes (166.07%).

Internationalizing Taiwan agro-technology

　　In order to develop the agro-tech industry, the COA has organized the incubation of core capacity by nurturing 54 firms with investment of NT$270 million, inducing the US firm PGT to establish a subsidiary in Taiwan, which has become the first ever foreign firm to move into the Incubation Center of the Agricultural Technology Research Institute. The COA has also helped mediate investment of NT$51.99 million from venture capital firms in three agro-businesses as well as guided 10 agro-businesses to apply for listing on the “Go Incubation Board for Startup and Acceleration Firms” (GISA) or as “Emerging Stocks,” and two others to go public through offering OTC (over-the-counter) shares. Finally, through organizing and packaging of technology we have encouraged two new businesses to invest NT$230 million; successfully sold six sets of facilities and equipment to mainland China and Malaysia; and applied for fertilizer certification in mainland China and Thailand.

　　In terms of agro-technology itself, we have completed development of nine animal vaccine and animal-feed products and provided businesses home and abroad with technical services, increasing returns by NT$15 million. We have inventoried 68 bio-pesticide strains and developed commercial products from seven strains. In cooperation with the China Productivity Center and the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), iin 2015 we also invited six Southeast Asian countries to Taiwan for conferences. We have done the R&D to create a number of technical innovations for the aquatic pet industry (including refrigerating machinery, floating covers, glass coating for the insides of aquariums, and stick-on sealer for the outsides of aquariums) which can reduce temperatures by two to three degrees Celsius and reduce costs by 50%, successfully opening up new opportunities in the Middle East market.

Strengthening international and cross-strait agricultural cooperation

Adapting to regional economic integration and trade liberalization through free trade agreements

　　Because progress has stalled in the Doha Round of negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO), countries around the world have been working outside the WTO to sign free trade agreements (FTAs) in order to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade. Taiwan must participate in this trend because our economy depends heavily on trade. Therefore all government ministries and agencies are pro-actively advancing preparatory work for joining the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), with the aim of ensuring the sustainable development of our economy.

　　Given that two of the important objectives of the COA are (a) to increase the competitiveness of Taiwan’s agriculture sector and (b) secure the rights and interests of farmers, our goals with respect to trade liberalization are to cope with the impacts of, and seize the opportunities offered by, joining the TPP and RCEP. To this end the COA has formulated agricultural adjustment measures, based on our assessment of the developments in negotiations and the overall regional economic and trade situation. These can serve as the basis for detailed planning on adjustments within each specific industry. We have also begun a stocktaking of the gaps between domestic laws and regulations and the provisions of the TPP, and have begun making the necessary adjustments, so that we can be well-prepared to enter the TPP. Finally, the COA has continually been implementing relevant measures, including the adjustment of the industrial structure and the exploration of new business models and new markets, in order to minimize any negative impacts and capitalize on new opportunities.

Actively participating in international organizations

　　Cooperation with international rural development organizations: In 2015, Taiwan attended the 18th General Session of the African-Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO), at which Taiwan was selected as a member of the executive committee, deepening our participation at the decision-making level of that organization. In addition, at the 56th meeting of the working group of the heads of productivity agencies of members of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Taiwan won endorsement to implement a five-year plan for international forums to be held on bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers.

　　Also in 2015, multinational activities held in Taiwan included: (a) the “Multicountry Observational Study Mission on Revitalizing Rural Economies for More Inclusive Development,” held in cooperation with the APO and the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI); (b) the “International Training Course on Smart Use of Fertilizers to Improve Crop Production and Soil Conservation,” held in cooperation with APAARI and the Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC); (c) the “2015 International Symposium on Biopesticides & Biofertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture,” held in cooperation with APAARI; (d) the “2015 International Symposium on Avian Influenza Prevention and Control,” held in cooperation with APAARI; and (e) a study visits program to Taiwan for experts on the theme “The Role of ICT in Agriculture/Rural Development and Governance,” held in cooperation with AARDO.

　　In addition, the COA has subsidized the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center/World Vegetable Center in promoting cooperative development and manpower training programs with Taiwan’s vegetable industry. In 2015 we also subsidized seven international conferences and four international training programs organized by the FFTC and the International Center for Land Policy Studies and Training. This is yet another way that the COA is able to expand interactions with the international agricultural community.

　　Participation in international fisheries organizations: In order to uphold the rights and interests of our fishing industry (including quotas for tuna species and fishing rights for jumbo flying squid and Pacific saury), as well as to stay abreast of the latest developments in international conditions, in 2015 the COA sent representatives to participate in major annual meetings and conferences of relevant working groups of major regional fisheries management organizations, including: the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna, the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation, and the North Pacific Fisheries Commission. In 2015, Taiwan’s total fishing quota was 84,125 metric tons for fish subject to catch quotas.

　　Multinational cooperation on forestry issues: The COA has continued to participate in conferences on the restoration of and sustainable management of forests, conferences that have been held under the framework of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) organization. In 2015 the COA participated in the seventh and eighth meetings of APEC’s “Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade” (EGILAT), which were held in the Philippines. Taiwan is also a member of the information-sharing template task force for combating illegal logging, and we have a strong commitment to ensuring that all trade in forest products is done legally. We also attended the first Council meeting of the “Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation” (APFNet), held in April of 2015.

Promoting bilateral cooperation in agriculture and fisheries

　　Agricultural cooperation: In 2015, the COA held a total of eight meetings with partner countries to advance bilateral cooperation in agriculture. On February 25 of 2015, Canada announced amendments to its regulatory regime governing plant variety rights, allowing any WTO member (including Taiwan) to be on the list of countries permitted to apply for such rights. Also, we received a positive response from Vietnam to our proposal to send staff to mushroom-producing areas to gather samples and collect data. In addition, the government of the state of Queensland, Australia, expressed their satisfaction at our development of a model for counter-seasonal production of Taiwanese litchi in that state, and the two sides will continue to pursue discussions on concrete methods of cooperation.

　　In 2015 the COA signed a memorandum of cooperation whose signatories also included the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the COA’s Endemic Species Research Institute, Vietnam Forestry University, the COA’s Livestock Research Institute, and the Philippine Carabao (Water Buffalo) Research Center. The COA also enhanced bilateral cooperation with other countries and pioneered new economic and trade opportunities through meetings that included: a Taiwan-Denmark conference on the hog-raising industry; a Taiwan-Hungary conference on goose-raising and the down industry; and a Taiwan-Japan conference on tea techniques and technologies.

　　In early July of 2015, then-COA Minister Chen Bao-ji led a delegation on a visit to Europe, strengthening high-level interactions with the government of France and the European Commission. While in Europe they communicated with the EU’s Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) on the subject of protection of plant variety rights, and invited the director of the CPVO to come to Taiwan in March of 2016 for a conference on methods for differentiating and defining varieties of Phalaenopsis orchids.

　　Fisheries cooperation: On March 7 Taiwan and Japan completed the fourth annual meeting of the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Committee. At this meeting, the two parties updated the “Principles Governing Fishing Boat Operations in Seas Covered by the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement.” Taking into account the characteristics of each nation’s fishing fleet, the two parties agreed to adopt several principles going forward, including: (i) operations in day-night alternation, (ii) separation of operations in time (i.e. scheduling) and in maritime area, (iii) consideration for the operations of small fishing boats. These principles allow the fishing boats of the two parties to operate in a complementary way and will ensure the safety of fishing boat operations, and we expect these measures to advance our goals of peaceful co-existence and mutual prosperity.

　　Papua New Guinea (PNG) is another country whose waters are important fishing grounds for Taiwan fishing fleets, particularly purse seine and tuna long-line vessels. PNG is also an important country for investment by Taiwan’s fishing industry. On June 22 of 2015 the ROC and PNG signed a government-to-government memorandum of understanding (MOU) on fisheries cooperation, as a foundation for continued mutual cooperation. Following the signing of this MOU, Taiwan continued to pursue cooperation agreements with other Pacific countries, and on November 18 the ROC signed a government-to-government fisheries cooperation agreement with the Solomon Islands.

　　On November 5 of 2015, Taiwan and the Philippines signed the “Agreement on Cooperation in Law Enforcement in Fishing Affairs,” in which the two parties agreed that: (1) No weapons or violence should be used in law enforcement. (2) There will be a precautionary warning mechanism (one hour in advance). (3) There will be a rapid-release mechanism for impounded vessels and crews (within three days). This agreement will ensure the safety of Taiwan fishing boats operating in overlapping exclusive economic zones. In addition former COA Minister Chen Bao-ji visited the Philippines in December of 2015, where—accompanied by officials from the Philippines Department of Agriculture—he attended a ceremony marking the completion of a feed production industrial park by the Grobest Group, which will strengthen fisheries-industry value chains and expand trade.

Strengthening cross-strait agricultural exchanges

　　There are regular agricultural professional exchanges between Taiwan and mainland China. In 2015, the COA handled the paperwork for: (a) visits to Taiwan for purposes of “professional agricultural exchanges” by a total of 432 groups (5168 visits); and (b) visits by representatives of mainland Chinese agro-businesses in a total of 50 groups (145 visits). (Note that these figures do not include persons whose visits fell under the Joint Review Committee and which were handled by the Ministry of the Interior.) In addition, the COA has also been striving to win approval from the mainland to permit even more Taiwan agro-products to be imported. In June of 2015 grapes were newly added to the list of permitted imports, becoming the 24th fruit item to receive permission to be exported to mainland China since such exports began in 2005.

　　Meanwhile, the COA has continued to ban imports into Taiwan of 830 agro-product items from mainland China. We also prevent Taiwan businesses which have invested in mainland China from selling their agro-products back into Taiwan. Moreover, we have kept “agro-products in which Taiwan has a technology- or technique-based competitive advantage” on the list of items that are banned for investment by Taiwan businesses in mainland China. However, we have, when appropriate, re-assessed liberalization of certain items based on the strategic needs of specific agro-industries. Within certain parameters—specifically ensuring continued development of agro-industries in Taiwan and avoiding the outflow of superior technologies (techniques) that create competitive advantage—we are building an investment model, based on a framework of “industrial value chains,” that will benefit both Taiwan and mainland China.

　　The COA also promotes communication between vice-director-level officials from each side’s agricultural authorities. In 2015, the communication mechanism was activated twice, allowing officials from areas such as forestry policy, farmland policy, supplementing fisheries resources by releasing fish fry into the ocean, marketing of agro-products, and food safety, to engage in productive exchanges of ideas and experiences.

Promoting the rural recreational and tourism industries

Developing and expanding rural leisure and tourism options

　　One approach the COA has taken to diversifying the rural economy has been the development of rural tourism, in a variety of ways: (1) We review relevant laws and regulations continually to ensure that they are optimal. (2) We work to upgrade the operational capabilities of the rural tourism industry. (3) We conduct regular inspections and maintenance of public facilities in “recreational agriculture areas,” and we conduct inspections of leisure farms to ensure that they meet operating standards. (4) We creatively utilize or innovate upon unique local characteristics to create special themed travel itineraries. (5) We promote a tourism-friendly environment in rural areas.

　　We have also taken measures to ensure a supply of qualified human resources for this industry, by, for example, upgrading professional standards for managers of recreational farms; strengthening industry-academia cooperation in developing manpower for the rural tourism industry; and providing professional training, such as training of rural tour guides, and helping match these people with job openings.

　　The COA has also taken steps to expand target markets. One potential new market is groups of middle and primary school students. We have promoted outdoor “farm experience” education and completed 20 handbooks on relevant themes. We have also guided businesses to develop Halal dishes with an eye to making Taiwan’s rural areas more attractive to Muslim tourists. Eight restaurants have thus far received “Muslim Friendly Restaurant” certification.

　　We have also expanded the functions of the rural-travel websites http://ezgo.coa.gov.tw/ (from where you can click on an “obstacle-free” webpage and English and Japanese language services), and http://rural.swcb.gov.tw/. We have also expanded our rural-travel mobile Apps and made them easier to use, as well as improved interactivity through social media. We have designated 50 “Tian Mama” rural cuisine classes as being of outstanding quality, and designated 15 locations that display and sell special local agro-products as “Down-Home Cuisine Inns,” making it easier than ever for visitors to have an authentic and in-depth rural recreational experience.

　　The COA has also devised a number of themed rural tourism itineraries, including: (a) 16 “fruit journeys”; (b) 13 tours centered on the agricultural golden corridor; (c) 26 “food gourmet journeys”; (d) 136 farm tours; and (e) 143 tours of rural communities focused on such local features as butterfly watching, floral gardens, hot springs, fruit picking, and water activities. We have also devised marketing campaigns for the 10th year of the Sea of Flowers in Xinshe as well as agricultural tours of Hualien and Taitung counties.

　　The COA also pro-actively participates in domestic and international travel fairs and holds other promotional activities; works to strengthen cross-sector cooperation with non-agricultural commercial and tourism activities; has expanded both “real” and “virtual” marketing channels; has worked to develop the market for large tour groups; and has broadened our appeal to the mass of independent or solo travelers.

　　By the end of 2015, the COA had completed planning and announced the demarcation of 78 “recreational agriculture areas” and also guided 45 leisure farms to gain certification for the quality of their services. In 2015 there were 24.5 million recreational visits to rural venues, including 380,000 visits by foreign tourists, an increase of 26% over 2014. The rural tourism industry produced NT$10.5 billion in value in 2015.

Developing the leisure fishing and boating industry

　　It is not only farms that can be converted to tourist facilities. Small rural fishing harbors have their own charms and are prime candidates to become tourist attractions as well as centers for leisure boating and recreational fishing. In 2014 the COA: (a) worked with local governments and fishermen’s associations to hold 52 “fishing industry festivals” and other promotional events; (b) continued to promote recreational and tourist activities centered on fishing harbors; (c) assisted fishermen’s associations and fisheries-related private sector groups to develop nine souvenir and gift packages featuring unique local fishing-community products; (d) held promotional activities for the sale of fisheries products; and (e) advanced diversification of leisure activities centered around fishing communities.

　　In 2015 the COA also expanded the functions of the Citizen Scientist Whale-Watching App, trained whale-watching guides, and provided domestic and foreign tourists with information about whale-watching, marine ecological activities, and recreational fishing boats. In 2015 there were 9.577 million participants in coastal fishing and ecological tourism activities, creating value of NT$3.74 billion.

Forest ecotourism

　　The COA operates a system of “National Forest Recreation Areas” (NFRAs) and “Forest Parks,” and we have been continually improving the quality of the travel experience to these venues. In 2015 these areas hosted 5.572 million visits. Meanwhile, Alishan Forest Railway continued to develop “sister railway” relations with the Oigawa Railway and the Kurobe Gorge Railway (both in Japan), and ridership reached 1.945 million passengers in 2015. Also, we worked with a strategic alliance of Aboriginal and other communities to open 19 ecotourism itineraries, and we joined with tourist agencies to develop six NFRA travel itineraries.

　　The COA has also been working to promote ecotourism along nature trails. One example is the Nenggao Cross-Ridge National Trail, where we have trained guides in the local nature resources and culture (mainly Aboriginal culture). Another is the Jinshuiying National Trail, about which we published a book entitled A Story of the Jinshuiying National Trail, to introduce citizens to this historic trail which offers excellent hiking. (The book won a 2015 Golden Tripod Award.) Another project has been to develop appropriate ecotourism based on the concept of “high-altitude forest conservation and cultural transmission seeds,” which links together several Aboriginal communities to form an “indigenous homeland ecotourism corridor.” (This project won first prize in the “Action Plan” category of the 2013 National Sustainable Development Awards.) Finally, in 2015 the COA completed its two-year “Ecotourism Guidance Plan for Provincial Highway 24” (a roadway which runs deep into mountain areas in Pingtung County).