When meeting with 20-plus representatives of the Taiwan Joint Irrigation Association on July 4 at the Office of the President, President Chen Shui-bian praised the association as an organization that is most resourceful and organized, has the longest history among the bodies of this kind, and maintains the closest contact and interaction with Taiwan's farmers.
In addition, he hoped the association and its regional chapters would fully cooperate with and actively assist the government in implementing policies regarding development of farming infrastructures, such as exploiting and utilizing irrigation resources, aestheticizing irrigative facilities and their surroundings, and diversifying businesses run by irrigation associations.
"Through our collective efforts," he said in conclusion, "we can resuscitate the charm and beauty of our farmlands."