Taiwan aims to triple organic farming land by 2020

Want China Times, CNA and Staff Reporter 2014-01-01

Farm workers in Yunlin county, Taiwan, Nov. 20. (Photo/Fang Chun-che)

Land used for organic farming in Taiwan could triple by 2020 to 15,000 hectares, according to plans by the country's Council of Agriculture.

The council touted in a statement that achievements in the development of an organic industry in Taiwan include training programs and technical services that have helped organic farming expand organic farming area to 5,930 hectares, up from just 2,356 hectares in 2008.

The council has promoted growth and sales of organic produce by helping set up 14 designated areas, 12 farming villages, 17 markets, 120 service counters and 140 online shops.

Successful development means that 346,000 elementary-to-high-schoolers in New Taipei have one meal featuring organic vegetables each week, the council said.

The efforts are part of a 10-year policy to promote and expand the supply chain of organic food, the council said.

"We would like to make Taiwan a healthy, happy and sustainable organic island," the council said.