TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's agriculture sector is bracing for financial challenges after recent budget cuts threatened to undermine disaster relief capabilities. The agriculture minister revealed on Wednesday (March 26) that his ministry will petition the Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, for permission to tap into alternative funding sources to address a critical shortfall in the "Special Income Fund for Agriculture." The Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, has slashed NT$90 million (approximately US$2.7 million) from this specialized fund, raising concerns about the government's ability to respond effectively to agricultural emergencies.
During a comprehensive briefing to the Economics Committee (經濟委員會), Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) outlined the ministry's current financial position and operational challenges. The total agricultural budget currently stands at NT$169.2 billion (approximately US$5.1 billion), but has suffered significant reductions, including a NT$2.014 billion (about US$61 million) cut and an additional NT$3 billion (about US$90.9 million) freeze on expenditures. These financial constraints have compromised several critical programs, including landslide monitoring systems, disaster inspection protocols, African swine fever prevention measures, and initiatives designed to promote Taiwanese agricultural products in international markets.
Minister Chen drew particular attention to the NT$37.1 billion (approximately US$1.12 billion) earmarked for the "Special Income Fund for Agriculture" this year, warning that the NT$90 million reduction, while representing just a fraction of the total budget, could significantly impair disaster response capabilities. The minister cited last year's experience when three successive typhoons struck the island, forcing an additional NT$4 billion (about US$121.2 million) in emergency disaster assistance that required supplementary funding from the Executive Yuan. Looking ahead, Chen emphasized that any inter-fund borrowing to address shortfalls would necessitate formal approval from Taiwan's cabinet, underscoring the bureaucratic hurdles facing the ministry's financial management.
