It is more secure to be organic, leasing state-owned land for organic, with a lease term of more than 10 years.

Share245 + 1 Tweet EmailShares 245

(by upstream and downstream journalist Lin Shijun / tr. by Phil Newell)

The Organic Agriculture Promotion Law is about to be on the road, and the relevant sub-laws will be completed by the end of May next year (108). The Council of Agriculture will hold a discussion on industry, government and academic circles today (21), hoping to consolidate opinions and strengthen relevant supporting measures.

At present, the area of organic and environment-friendly farming in China (to the end of May 107) has reached 7778 hectares, accounting for 1.1% of the total cultivated land. The goal is to reach 10, 5000 hectares in two years and 40, 000 hectares ten years later. Chen Jizhong, vice chairman of the Council of Agriculture, said that actively promoting organic agriculture is not only for farmers and consumers, but also for the purpose of environmental sustainability.

The Council of Agriculture held a discussion among industry, government and academic circles, hoping to consolidate the opinions of the "Law on the Promotion of Organic Agriculture" before it was launched. (the third from the left is Chen Shixiong, the fourth from the left is Chen Jizhong, and the fifth from the left is Su Murong) (Photography / Lin Jiejun)

Six major practices of the Council of Agriculture in promoting organic friendly farming

How to promote organic and environmentally friendly farming? Chen Jizhong pointed out six specific practices. First of all, in order to attract more organic farmers, farmers who have changed from habitual practice to organic will receive an ecological reward of 30,000 yuan, and farmers in the transitional period will also have a subsidy of 60,000 to 80,000 yuan. In addition, because the cost of organic production is high, but the output is low, the government will also provide subsidies for organic materials.

In addition, considering the high cost of organic verification and reducing the willingness of many farmers to invest in organic agriculture, Chen says that it will reduce the verification fee, and 90% of it will be borne by the government. "when the cost is reduced, farmers are more willing to move forward."

Lease public state-owned land for organic use with a lease term of more than 10 years

In addition, farmers lease public or state-owned land for organic agriculture, have the guarantee of a lease term of more than 10 years and less than 20 years, and enjoy rent concessions. And set up special areas for organic agriculture to prevent organic farmland from being polluted by neighboring fields sprayed with chemical pesticides.

"demand drives supply!" Chen Jizhong said that the Council of Agriculture will develop diversified marketing channels, such as encouraging the national army to purchase organic food, "so that farmers will be more willing to put into production."

Promote the new organic agricultural products logo and improve the brand image

As for the problem that it is not easy for the public to identify organic labels, Chen Jizhong believes that through the establishment of new organic agricultural products labels, Taiwan's organic brand image can be improved, and it will no longer cause the public to be confused.

Chen Jizhong also pointed out the importance of promoting "bilateral organic equivalence" internationally. The European Union is the main target of Taiwan's import of organic agricultural products, with a proportion as high as 21%. In the future, a consensus must be reached on the import and export of organic agricultural products in order to promote trade exchanges between the two sides.

Charity Foundation: need to have more dialogue and communication with farmers

Su Murong, CEO of the Tzu Xin Organic Agriculture Development Foundation, said that eating healthier food is a common idea of the public. He believes that the Organic Agriculture Promotion Act helps maintain biodiversity and enables the environment to develop in a friendly way. However, Su stressed that it is not enough to pass laws and regulations alone. The development of the organic industry requires various units to cooperate with each other and to have more dialogue and communication with farmers.

Chen Shixiong, a professor at South China University, said that the Organic Agriculture Promotion Law has come a long way. "although the content is a little different from what was originally expected, it has been passed." In view of the lack of content, he points out that the establishment of "organic agriculture zones" is not the fundamental way to solve the pollution of neighboring fields, and the spraying of chemical pesticides should be controlled from the source. "only by restricting the areas where pesticides are used can we really put an end to environmental pollution."

Lin Luosheng, director of the promotion department of the Taoyuan Peasant Association, believes that the peasant association can play the function of integrating local agricultural products, providing screening and quality control, and helping farmers set up sales channels, such as promoting the use of local organic ingredients for school nutritious lunches.

Organic farmers: the label specification is too strict.

Yang Rumen, head of Caitian friendly farming Co., Ltd., affirmed a number of subsidy measures for organic farmers in the Organic Agriculture Promotion Law, and admitted that there was uncertainty in organic production. "Organic production is sometimes impossible to estimate."

Wu Chengfu, an organic farmer, points out that at present, the labelling standards for organic agricultural products are too strict, and the fine for violation of regulations is too heavy. "if (marking) is mistyped, you will be fined." He believes that the government should strengthen the quality verification of organic agricultural products, rather than being too rigid in the labeling.

Share245 + 1 Tweet EmailShares 245