To put an end to the imbalance between production and marketing, the Council of Agriculture 1 billion built a complete cold chain of North, Central and South logistics and tried out banana income insurance.

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In response to recent media reports of banana and pineapple crashes, Chen Jizhong, vice chairman of the Council of Agriculture, held a press conference again today (19), saying,"There is a difference with the actual situation." The price of green banana from the origin has risen by 9 yuan to 13 yuan, and pineapple has also set the best export volume in six years. Stressing that there is no cross-strait factor that causes export obstruction,"false reports will affect farmers 'income."

Pineapple export highest banana price stabilizes in six years origin price 9 yuan to 13 yuan

Banana and pineapple prices have been falling since last month, and the Council of Agriculture has held several press conferences to propose a number of measures to stabilize prices. According to statistics, the export volume of pineapple reached 31,947 metric tons by the end of May this year, up 16% from 27,439 metric tons in the same period last year, and the export price was US$1.36 per kilogram.

As for bananas, Chen explained that the previous press conference had announced that it was expected to handle 11,000 metric tons of bananas, and the current processing speed was 5000 metric tons. According to the wholesale price of Taipei fruit and vegetable market, banana price stabilized at 18.4 yuan per kilogram, and green banana from origin also recovered to 9 - 13 yuan per kilogram. "If we process another 5000 metric tons, the price will definitely rise again."

At present, pineapple, banana prices have stabilized, but some media continue to emphasize price collapse, export blocked, Chen stressed,"There is no such thing." Such erroneous information will cause vendors to mislead farmers with erroneous information when purchasing, resulting in loss of farmers 'income.

Chen Jizhong, Vice Chairman of the Committee of Agriculture (Photo/Liu Yixin)

Development of banana processing products, pilot banana income insurance

In addition, agricultural product processing is also a big problem, Chen explained, general agricultural products 60% direct digestion, 40% as processed products. The proportion of processing increased, crops only when there is a way out,"but at present banana processing ratio does not exceed 5%." Bananas are grown in large quantities in Southeast Asian countries, and many processed products have been developed, such as banana ice cream, banana biscuits, dried bananas, breakfast banana slices, etc. The Council of Agriculture will also actively develop in the future, so that a higher proportion of bananas can be used for processing.

Chen said that some banana farmers buy healthy seedlings for planting, but some banana farmers use suction sprouts, which cost less but are of poor quality, and poor quality will affect prices."Some farmers expect typhoons to receive disaster relief." To this end, the Council of Agriculture will adjust the amount of natural disaster relief, if the registration of planting with a higher subsidy, if the perennial root cultivation, subsidies will be lower.

Chen further pointed out that banana income insurance will also be planned to match planting registration, and pilot projects will be carried out in various towns and cities. If farmers participate in income insurance, the Agricultural Committee will guarantee a certain income.

Adjusting tariff quota system to reduce domestic market impact

As for long-term measures, Chen explained that the tariff quota system will be adjusted. In the future, it may be possible to allocate part of the quota to related processed products instead of directly importing the crop. The import period of agricultural tariff quotas will also be adjusted to reduce the impact on the domestic market.

Public-private sector cooperation will also be strengthened in the future to provide policy tools. Chen explained that the price of red beans this year is 20% lower than last year, and farmers have no equipment to refrigerate and stock. In the future, farmers 'associations and farmers' groups willing to cooperate will buy from farmers and help find suitable cold storage space. Farmers do not need to sell immediately, and prices will not be depressed.

According to the Council of Agriculture, through comprehensive production and marketing management guidance measures from the production end to the market end, agricultural production prices will be higher than costs and farmers 'incomes will be further increased.

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