Recreational agriculture has the objective of promoting ecotourism, and a healthful life style with exposure to agriculture, landscapes and rural culture. The major achievements in 2007 are as follows:

1. The COA approved 343 applications to develop their farms into leisure farms and 142 were issued certificates. After thorough evaluations, the COA designated 61 areas as recreational agriculture zones, and special assistance will be provided to meet the needs of the respective zones. In 2007 the COA mobilized 60 plus recreational businesses to organize an exhibition of flowers in Hsinshe Township in Taichung County to market recreational agriculture. The event attracted 700,000 visitors, helped recreational tourism in nearby townships, and created NT$1 billion in business opportunities. Also, the COA encouraged participation in various international travel exhibitions and other avenues to promote Taiwan’s agro-tourism. The effort attracted 43,111 tourists to Taiwan’s agro-tourism. In all, the COA’s endeavor in recreational agriculture has created 945 new jobs, attracted 9.45 million visitors, and netted NT$6.5 billion in revenues.
2. To meet the needs of agro-tourism, the COA reviewed and amended the existing regulations and supplementary measures on agro-tourism. In 2007, the focus was on zoning, infrastructure and relevant procedures.
3. Under a cooperative program with educational institutions, 88 students were admitted for practical training at 30 leisure farms, and 79 of them received their certificates. Also, 36 leisure farms took part in a pre-employment training program for 64 trainees. The COA also conducted five basic and advanced training workshops for 204 agro-tourism workers and two leadership workshops for 38 agro-tourism workers. In 2007, low-interest loans in NT$80 million were lent to agro-tourism operators for use in land preparation, environmental improvement, and business operations.
4. The COA was instrumental in the community-participatory development of leisure fishery in six townships of Yunlin County. The development would be stepwise to beautify the environment and to transform the local fishery. Moreover, the COA implemented an integrated development program in three locations in Fangyuan Township of Changhua County to promote recreational fishing businesses.