The First Round of the Classic Series Campaign—“Top ten outstanding farm and fishery villages” campaign organized by the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan has been smoothly and successfully carried out with enthusiastic participation among farms in the country. The Award Presentation Ceremony was held on March 22, 2007 at 2 p.m. in the Taiwan National Scientific Education Hall.

The Oscar-style ceremony invited representatives of the 20 finalist farm villages to march on the thoroughfare for outstanding farm villages. The ceremony has also invited some mysterious guests to present the awards. Villages would also set up workshops on site to show agricultural product specialties and selected handicrafts to reflect native passions. And participants can expect some highlights could be expected.

To explore new agricultural opportunities and to strengthen global competitiveness, the Council of Agriculture has been vigorously promoting the “New Agriculture Movement”. It was expected that this campaign would arouse the devotion of farmers and provide encouragement and support from citizens at large. For this, the Council of Agriculture has organized the “Classic Series Selection” campaign to motivate keen participation by farmers and this has in return received passionate repercussions from the people.

“Top ten outstanding farm and fishery villages” was the First Round of this campaign, which started on September 7, 2006. During the course of selection, villages have devoted their full efforts to demonstrate their classic characteristics and charms. The Top ten outstanding farm and fishery villages have been chosen through fair, transparent and impartial judgments through the preliminary, the secondary and the final stages.

The COA has indicated that the winning villages would be announced at the ceremony in order to achieve the ceremony’s climax. Each winning villages would receive a cash reward of NT$200,000, a certificate and a classic trophy designed by famous sculptor Mr. S.J. Wang. Each winner would also be given priority to receive a subsidy for upgrading the village’s image or for diversification of the village’s developments and would assist the media to promote sales. Observation programs and exchange programs would be organized and special books would be published.

Moreover, the COA would cultivate and improve the images of the scenic spots of the 10 winning villages. And in cooperation with the Transport Department and the Tourism Bureau, the COA would consolidate the villages’ new images and their classic characteristics, thus bringing the charms and vitality of the villages to the world. This will certainly help explore new opportunities and light up Taiwan’s agriculture future.