Heavy Rainfall Causes Damage to Peanuts and Other Crops; Premier Cho Orders Swift, Lenient, and Simple Relief Measures

Taipei, June 18 (CNA) Heavy rainfall across Taiwan has caused NT$82.89 million in agricultural losses, with peanuts and the first crop of rice being the most affected. Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that major peanut-growing counties such as Yunlin and Changhua have reported damage rates exceeding 20%, meeting the criteria for disaster relief. He has ordered that relief efforts be expedited with principles of speed, leniency, and simplicity to assist affected farmers.

Regarding the agricultural losses caused by continuous heavy rainfall, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Li Hui-chih relayed at a post-cabinet meeting press conference today that Premier Cho Jung-tai, during the cabinet meeting, noted that as of June 17, the plum rains and heavy rainfall had resulted in a total of NT$82.89 million in agricultural losses nationwide. The main affected crops include peanuts and the first crop of rice. According to damage assessments by the Ministry of Agriculture, major peanut-growing counties such as Yunlin and Changhua have reported damage rates exceeding 20%, which meets the standard for disaster relief.

Premier Cho stated that the Ministry of Agriculture has successively announced peanuts in Yunlin and Changhua counties as crops eligible for cash disaster relief. For some farmland that has not yet reached the relief standard, but where farmers' efforts in cultivation have been damaged by the heavy rains, the Ministry of Agriculture has initiated a special subsidy program for damaged pods (sprouted or broken) to encourage businesses to purchase them at prices no lower than previous levels, thereby reducing farmers' losses.

He further requested that the Ministry of Agriculture expedite the relevant relief operations based on the principles of speed, leniency, and simplicity to help affected farmers resume cultivation and reconstruction as soon as possible. Additionally, the Fair Trade Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Justice should continue to monitor the market dynamics of peanuts, expand joint inspections, and thoroughly curb any illegal activities of price gouging or suppression during the disaster to fully protect farmers' rights.

Regarding prices before the Dragon Boat Festival, Premier Cho said that the supply of various agricultural products is currently abundant before the festival, with vegetable and fruit supplies increasing by 6% to 22% compared to normal days. Pork and free-range chickens will also see an 11% increase compared to normal days. He asked the Ministry of Agriculture to continue closely monitoring wholesale market price fluctuations to ensure sufficient supply and stable prices. (Edited by Lin Shu-yuan) 0618