Taipei, June 12 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Wednesday that the government will help farmers adjust to the challenges brought by Taiwan's World Trade Organization accession.
Chen made the remarks during a visit to Yunlin County in central Taiwan.
Agriculture, as well as the manufacturing industry, must be competitive in order to stand firm in the international market, Chen said, adding that agricultural development cannot rely on farmers' efforts alone.
WTO admission has not had a strong impact on agriculture, thanks to the favorable conditions obtained by the government in related negotiations, Chen went on.
The government will also provide farmers with new technologies and help them adjust in order to make their products more competitive, Chen promised.
The president was accompanied by Dai Cheng-yao, vice chairman of the Council of Agriculture, on the fact-finding tour.