1.    Promoting regional agricultural processing centers

　　The COA has strengthened guidance of special production zones and center-satellite systems, promoted alliances among agricultural industries, and integrated farmers groups, agricultural production-and-marketing groups, farmers and young farmers. Through integration of production and marketing systems and contract production, we have assisted in building or improving processing equipment or facilities for farm, fisheries, and animal husbandry products. We have also expanded production capacity and constructed factories that comply with health and safety laws and regulations, to provide to farmers seeking subcontractors, to facilitate value-added for agriproducts, to assist in stabilizing supply and sales, and to develop diversified consumption of domestic agriproducts.

1. Establishing regional agriproduct processing centers

　　In 2017 the COA decided to establish six regional apriproduct processing centers in important production areas, including those for organic crops from Hsinchu and Miaoli; sweet potatoes from Shuilin Township, Yunlin County; pineapple from Nantou City, Nantou County; peanuts and soybean from Dongshi Township in Chiayi County; fruit from the Guantian District of Tainan City; and fruit from Kaohsiung City. In four locations the planning for the factory area has been completed and ISO22000 certification has been received; in one location alteration of agricultural land use has been completed and the factory area and production line have been planned; and in one location improvements have been completed based on Good Hygienic Practices (GHP). The COA has brought together farmers, agricultural productionand-marketing groups, and farmers’ organizations to expand contract production, integrating 638 farmers, with contract production on 593 hectares of land and use of about 9,200 metric tons of raw materials to be processed. In addition, we have guided newly added production lines and production capacity to strengthen subcontracting and processing capabilities, to bring into play the function of stabilizing production and sales, and to make processed agriproducts high value. The COA has also introduced certification systems for Traceable Agricultural Products and organic processed products, gaining Traceable Agricultural Product certification for 24 products including dried aiwen mangoes.

2. Establishing regional product distribution and processing centers for fisheries products

　　The COA promoted the processing of safe seafood products connected to special features of the locality or the season, in order to develop diversified products, effectively handle the oversupply of aquatic products in peak seasons, and encourage value-added and upgrading of the industry, which can develop fishing village economies and attract young people back to their hometowns to go into fishing. In 2017 we guided the Yong’an District Fishermen’s Association and the Nanxian District Fishermen’s Association to set up two regional seafood processing plants, assisting aquaculture operators raising grouper in the Yong’an District of Kaohsiung City and those raising tilapia and milkfish in the Xuejia District of Tainan City to have immediate, nearby access to handling of fish products, to produce frozen processed products and promote diversified sales channels and expand the market. In addition, fishermen’s associations can purchase seafood at stable prices for processing, and, by using frozen storage, harmonize production and sales volume.

3. Establishing regional washing and grading distribution centers for chicken eggs

　　In order to promote the policy of comprehensive washing and grading of chicken eggs, the COA guided farmers’ groups to use the methods of cooperatives and production-and-marketing groups to form regional washing and grading distribution centers for chicken eggs. In 2017 the COA guided the Fangyuan Township Farmers’ Association in Changhua County and the Egg Marketing Cooperative, Republic of China to establish egg distribution and logistics centers, using facilities (or equipment) such as automated washing and grading machines, packaging machines, and basket washing machines, to harmonize regional egg production and sales, stabilize the quality of the egg supply, and develop international markets for the export of eggs.

2.    Promoting rural tourism

1. Agricultural tourism

　　The COA works to create a tourist friendly environment for leisure farms, promotes value-added and creative uses for these farms, strengthens the quality of manpower and overall service capabilities in the rural leisure industry, and guides leisure farms to move in the directions of having themes, having unique characteristics, being “smart,” and being regional. By the end of 2017, the COA had designated 82 “recreational agriculture areas,” licensed 405 leisure farms, and assisted 133 “Tian Mama’s cuisine units.” We also selected 22 agro-gift or souvenir items, to enrich the unique elements of rural tourism. The COA also promoted 81 themed itineraries for rural travel, including “fruit-picking tours,” “Happy Farmer,” and “rural itineraries,” and developed regional promotional activities like “Agro-Tour in Hualien/Taitung, Let’s Go!” and the “Sea of Flowers in Xinshe.” We also utilized online social networks and diversified integrated marketing to develop virtual-reality sales channels and strengthen cooperation with other industries, in order to deepen the domestic tourism market and broaden the tourism market for people from New Southbound Policy partner countries, Japan, and Muslim communities to come to Taiwan. In 2017, the agrotourism industry attracted 26.7 million tourists, including 500,000 foreigners, with total production value of NT$10.7 billion.

2. Fisheries-related leisure and tourism

　　In 2017 the COA organized 52 “fishing industry festivals” and other promotional events for fisheries-related leisure; trained whale-watching guides; and provided information to both domestic and foreign tourists about marine ecological activities and recreational fishing boats. In order to encourage young people to return home to go into aquaculture, the COA organized the “Aquaculture Youth Guidance Program,” under which we guided 188 young fishermen to participate in 12 related courses, lectures, and visits. It has been estimated that in 2017 there were 9,360,147 participants in coastal fisheries recreation and eco-travel, with production value of NT$3.44 billion.

3. Forest eco-tourism

　　The COA continued to upgrade the quality of tourism to the nation’s 18 National Forest Recreation Areas and three Forest Parks. We also worked with travel businesses and nearby Aboriginal and other communities to develop 33 ecotourism itineraries. In 2017 there were more than 4.57 million tourists visit. We also held the “2017 Conference of Forest, Human Health and Well-being,” with 216 participants. We also completed refurbishing of the Wulai Trolley, with former Premier Lin Chuan serving as master of ceremonies for the reopening of the line to traffic on August 26; since its reopening, there have been more than 190,000 passengers.

　　The COA has also continued to promote the “little journey through the forest” itineraries of the Cruise Train and group chartered train of the Alishan Forest Railway. In September of 2017 the Alishan Forest Railway established sister railway relations with the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway in the UK, raising its international visibility. In 2017 there were a total of more than 1.36 million passengers on the Alishan Forest Railway.

　　The COA also promoted “nature trail eco-tourism,” implementing the “plan for developing eco-tourism in the Danan’ao area” and the “plan for guidance of the development of eco-tourism along the Nengao Cross-Ridge Historic Trail.” We also guided and promoted the emergence of Aboriginal culture or indigenous community development, trained people in indigenous communities, and mapped out itineraries, thereby increasing green employment opportunities in mountain villages.

3.    Promoting premium agriproducts with special characteristics

1. Promoting premium agriproducts

　　The COA annually publishes a list of the “Top 100 Premium Agricultural Products of Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Associations.” In 2017 this list included 144 specially selected items from 95 farmers’ associations and nine fishermen’s associations. We also selected “Rural Good Products” to encourage rural communities to develop marketable products that reflect the unique characteristics of the locality. In addition, the COA developed 22 rural tourism gift or souvenir items, to increase the value-added for agricultural products. We also strengthened marketing guidance, using the advantages of information and communications technology to drive consumption volume and upgrade the visibility of premium agriproducts.

　　From December 22 to 25, the COA held the “Exhibition of Premium Agricultural Products from Taiwan” at the National Taiwan University Sports Center. Upholding the principles of “rigorous selection of manufacturing, local production,” the event exhibited (and sold) (i) the “Top 100 Premium Agricultural Products of Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Associations” from over the years, (ii) “Rural Good Products,” and (iii) results of guidance of young farmers. The four-day event attracted 14,000 visitors, with total on-site revenue of NT$11.1 million and future orders of NT$18.33 million, for a total of NT$29.43 million. Moreover, many businesses discussed cooperation in sales channels, demonstrating the high level of competitiveness of Taiwan agriculture.

　　The COA also held the selection for “Rural Good Products,” to encourage rural communities to continue to innovate and develop products with special characteristics, in order to add value to rural industries and upgrade quality. From 2015 to 2017 the COA discovered 90 rural community products with special characteristics, including rural cuisine, cultural and creative handicrafts, and products for use in daily life.

　　The COA also strengthened marketing and matchmaking for sales channels, including with the Tainan Cultural and Creative Park and the Yunlin Station of the Taiwan High Speed Rail, and the setting up of booths at six highway service areas including those at Zhongli and Tai’an. These steps helped increase the visibility and sales of rural products and increase production value in rural communities.

2. Promoting premium seafood products

　　In order to develop the domestic market for grouper and provide consumers with convenient channels to purchase grouper, the Fisheries Agency of the COA guided grouper processing plants and sales outlets (including Pxmart) to develop and stock consumer-type products suitable for families. The COA also subsidized the Ziguan District Fishermen’s Association and 10 grouper aquaculture operators in Pingtung and Kaohsiung to produce about 400 metric tons of grouper under contract. After processing, these were provided to sales outlets such as e-commerce platforms and brick-and-mortar sales outlets such as organic supermarkets, to raise the market visibility of grouper.

3. Innovating exquisite forestry manufactured products

　　In 2017 the COA for the first time set up a “Taiwan Pavilion for Domestically Produced Wood” at the Taipei Building Show. The pavilion was designed and built in an integral manner and used only domestic wood and bamboo material, and it displayed the results of combining beautiful wood and bamboo material from Taiwan with skilled craftsmanship. We also promoted six forestry products using innovative technologies and did matchmaking and exchanges with the forestry industry, increasing the value-added of forestry products.

4. Building a tea industry value chain

　　The COA guided tea manufacturers, tea businesses, and farmers’ organizations to add third-tier services like (i) cultural and creative product-making, (ii) combining tea with leisure, and (iii) combining tea with culture, to first- and second-tier production and processing, as we develop in the direction of making the tea industry “sixth-tier.” In addition, in cooperation with the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, we connected “Light Up” model teahouses to form “Light Up” tea roads, allowing people to experience a new unique aspect and creative idea for tea culture.

5. Guiding the production of wines and liqueurs

　　In 2017 the COA guided 20 rural wineries to create products flavored with ingredients unique to local agriculture in their respective areas. Production volume in 2017 was 180,000 liters, with production value of NT$181 million. Wineries hosted 1.32 million visitors. The COA also screened out superior wines and liqueurs to compete in international competitions, winning four golds and three silvers, thereby shaping a reputation for quality among rural wineries.

6. Promoting premium livestock products

　　The COA guided the production of refined local pork products with special local characteristics as well as did marketing of poultry products. We completed licensing for non-patented technologies, including the “manufacturing process for deer antler extract and standardized procedure technology for mixing cosmetics, plus quality control standards” and “technology for deer antler extract and for the manufacturing process for semi-finished products.” We also developed the “Dear Deer” biomedical skin care product.

7. Promoting elderly-friendly foods

　　In 2017 the COA continued to hold the “elderly-friendly food selection activity,” in which we selected 16 elderly-friendly foods, which we promoted in cooperation with chain retail outlets and e-commerce platforms. We encouraged the diversified development of elderly-friendly foods, so that all sectors of society will pay more attention to elderly-friendly diets, and advance the healthy development of our aging society.