After the conscientious and fair evaluation of experts, the winner of the Fourth National Rice Contest, the great event in the national rice industry, was announced by the Vice Minister of COA, Hu, Fu-Syong at two o’clock on Sept. 18 at the Banciao Farmers’ Association. The award went to Mr. Huang Kuen-Bien, from Houbi Township, Tainan County. The council held a “Champion Rice Awarding Ceremony and Auction” on Sept. 23 to give interested consumers the opportunity to purchase the awarded rice. A big number of participants attended the auction.

The council said that to make the place of production famous and to show that the price matches its quality, they have been encouraging farmers for years to produce good variety rice with local features to improve the quality and competitiveness of the rice. Prizewinners of the past three contests made big profits and became well-known. Their places of production also gained fame helping promote the development of its localized rice industry.

The 4th contest had many participants from different townships. There were 35 first trials held at each township and for the first time, the production record was one of the essential conditions. Every winner had his rice production record available. Today, the national champion rice farmer has been selected out of 35 excellent growers after going through the first phase judgment by quality and analysis using mechanical equipment and the final phase judgment by its appearance and taste.

The 4th National Champion Rice Farmer Mr. Huang, Kuen-Bin comes from Houbi Township, Tainan County. His rice variety-Tainung No. 71 was the unanimous winner because of its appearance and taste. The second prize went to Mr. Jhang, Guei-Jhin (Taigeng No.9) from Jhutang Township, Changhua County and Mr. Huang, Jhao-Lun (Taigeng No.2) from Chihshang Township, Taidong County. The third prize went to Mr. Jhang, Jyu-Wang (Taigeng No.2) from Taibao City, Chiayi County, Mr. Shen, Jian-Cheng (Tainan No.11) from Sinying City, Tainan County, and Mr. Yang, Mu-Lin ( Taigeng No.2) from Guanshan Township, Taidong County. Outstanding awards went to Mr. Guo, Zih-Fong (Taigeng No.9) from Singang Township, Jiayi County, Mr. Wu, Tian-Wang (Taigeng No. 8) from Wujie Township, Yilan County, Mr. Yang, Wun-Syong (Taigeng No.2) from Yuxi District, Hualian County, and Mr. Wu, Xin-Deng (Taigen No.2) from Luye Township, Taidong County. The jury announced that the winner’s appearance and taste enabled it to win the prizes. The result shows that quality contests have helped instill the idea of quality in Taiwan rice. This means that the domestic rice industry has achieved milestones in the production of high quality rice.

The first prize winner got a trophy and NT$200,000. The Champion Rice Awarding Ceremony and Auction was held at the NTU Arena at 10:00 a.m. on September 23rd. The second prize winners received a trophy and NT$100,000, the third prize winners received NT$60,000, and the four winners of the Outstanding Awards received NT$20,000. The council also gave awards and consolation prizes to the counseling teams from the respective township farmers’ associations.