TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA, 農業部) unveiled an ambitious support package Monday (April 21) to shield farmers from the impact of recent American trade measures. The comprehensive plan features six strategic initiatives focusing on financial aid, cold chain infrastructure improvements, and aggressive marketing campaigns. The action comes in response to Washington's April 3 announcement that raised tariffs on Taiwanese agricultural products to 32 percent, though U.S. officials subsequently lowered the rate to 10 percent for a 90-day period beginning April 10.
Under the financial support component, officials will increase interest subsidies for affected farmers for a six-month period, with available loans capped at NT$20 million (approximately US$616,000) and interest subsidies reaching up to 0.75 percent. The ministry has also committed to improving cold chain logistics, processing capabilities, and certification systems to strengthen Taiwan's agricultural competitiveness, while simultaneously promoting domestic consumption through free product quality testing programs.
Taiwan's flower growers will receive substantial cold chain facility subsidies, with individual farmers eligible for 40 percent support up to NT$5 million (US$154,000), while agricultural cooperatives can receive 60 percent and commercial enterprises 50 percent, both capped at NT$10 million (US$308,000). For the strategically important edamame sector, the plan offers production and cold chain equipment subsidies reaching 40 percent or NT$8 million (US$246,400), along with innovation incentives for processing and packaging technologies of up to NT$200,000 (US$6,160) per approved application.
Taiwan's tea industry, known for its high-quality oolong varieties, will receive production and packaging modernization subsidies capped at 40 percent or NT$3 million (US$92,400), plus innovation incentives for new packaging designs up to NT$200,000 (US$6,160) per project. To boost international credibility, the ministry will subsidize quality certification fees across all three sectors — flowers, edamame, and tea — with support limited to NT$150,000 (US$4,620) per application. The comprehensive package also promotes global market diversification through subsidized international marketing activities and export incentives for a range of agricultural products. ★
