In the wake of Typhoon Kong-rey, President Lai Ching-te, alongside Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and Premier Cho Jung-tai, visited Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung counties to engage with the local agricultural communities. They assured the provision of financial support to mitigate the typhoon's impact on farming. The agricultural sector has reported losses exceeding NT$480 million (US$15 million), with Hualien and Yunlin counties being the hardest hit. The government has committed to a swift disbursement of cash handouts and the facilitation of low-interest loans to aid farmers in these regions.
President Lai emphasized the importance of a quick recovery for the agricultural sector, promising to streamline the process of obtaining relief funds. The damage, which affected a variety of crops including silver willows, kumquats, and tea, spanned nearly 125 hectares in Yilan alone. The Ministry of Agriculture has been instructed to reevaluate the aid provided, considering the current cash handouts only cover a fraction of a typical harvest's proceeds.
Meanwhile, in Taitung, Vice President Hsiao encountered farmers reporting significant losses in crops such as sugar apples and bananas. The Agriculture and Food Agency has pledged to purchase the damaged crops, providing immediate relief to the affected farmers. Premier Cho's visit to Orchid Island highlighted the infrastructural vulnerabilities, with a commitment to expedite the replacement of overhead cables with underground ones to fortify against future typhoons.
The collective efforts of Taiwan's government officials underscore a commitment to rapid response and sustained support for the agricultural sector in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Source: Focus Taiwan