Taipei, Sept. 20 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian touted the importance his administration attaches to agriculture Monday, saying that is why the Council of Agriculture (COA) under the Executive Yuan will be upgraded into a ministry after the reorganization of the Executive Yuan.
Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the COA, Chen said both he and Premier Yu Shyi-kun come from farming families and know that agriculture is one of the pillars of the country's economy and that Taiwan cannot survive without agriculture.
Chen said any agriculture policy adopted by the COA should take into consideration the interests of fishermen and farmers and he added that his administration supports COA Chairman Lee Ching-lung's vision of establishing a safe, high-quality and environmentally friendly agriculture sector.
He said the COA will soon set up a national agriculture award system to honor farmers who help with the sustained development of agriculture and he promised that he will present the prizes to the winners on the next Farmers' Day.
Noting that the COA boasts the most staffers with doctorates or master's degrees of all the organizations under the Executive Yuan, Chen said he believes the COA will lead the country's farmers to meet the challenges brought about by economic globalization and liberalization.