The first episode of “Excellent Series Election” – top ten excellent rural and fishing villages on-line voting held by Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan will open the on-line voting system of 20 selected candidates for rural and fishing villages from Dec. 1, 2006 to Feb. 28, 2007. Everyone is welcome to place a vote for his/ her favorite village and has chances to win great prize by participating the voting!

In order to create opportunities continuously for agriculture and strengthen international competitiveness for the sector, the Council of Agriculture promotes proactively the “New Agriculture Movement”. It hopes to encourage devotions and supports from farmers and fishers for this activity, therefore, “Excellent Series Election” is being held to encourage farmers and fishers’ participation and try to get feedback from the public. “The top ten excellent rural and fishing village election” is the first episode of the series. Applications were accepted from rural and fishing villages around Taiwan from Sept. 8., and there were totally 50 applications from different villages till Nov. 7. These villages made effort to show their features and attractiveness, and they all did a great job. However, the judges committee selected only 20 villages into the second round. Amongst them, 4 villages from the northern, southern and eastern part of Taiwan were selected, while the most villages were from central Taiwan, totally 8 villages were selected in the second round.

To advance the importance of rural and fishing villages and raise enthusiasm and respect from the public, besides on-site visiting of these selected rural and fishing villages, the on-line voting is open to encourage participation from the public. The organizing committee also prepares prizes to draw lots. As long as you get on-line and vote, you have the chance to win three big prizes, including “A trip to rural villages” (a 2-day package to experience the excellent rural villages/ 60 available), “Photograph the rural villages! “ (6 million pixel digital cameras/ 5 sets) and “Fashion prize” (walkman/ 10 sets).

During the on-line voting period, Council of Agriculture hopes the public not only votes, but also visits the winning 20 rural and fishing villages in person with their “travel passport”. If they can get 20 stamps (each village stamps on the travel passport when visitors have the travel passport with them), they will receive a surprise gift. In addition, there is also a call-for-submission to find 150 photographs that best represent the top ten rural and fishing villages. 150 photos will be selected and the prize is NT$2,000 for each. The deadline of submissions is from now on till March 5, 2007. Photographers or amateurs who admire the beauty and classic features of rural and fishing villages are more than welcome to join us.

“Top ten excellent rural and fishing villages election” expect to attract plenty of participation from the public through careful and detailed planning. The activity also hopes to lead the public to know the beauty of Taiwan rural and fishing villages. Further create new opportunities for the villages and activate vitality and marketing potentials in the villages in order to liven up Taiwan’s agriculture again.

For more information regarding “Top ten excellent rural and fishing villages election“ on-line voting and application form of call-for-admission, please refer to the following websites and download related forms:
1. Council of Agriculture website: http://eng.coa.gov.tw/index.php
2. Soil and Water Conservation Bureau: https://www.ardswc.gov.tw/Home/eng
3. Soil and Water Conservation Bureau, Rural Scenery website: https://www.ardswc.gov.tw/Home/eng/