New Taipei Farmers' Association Table Tennis Tournament Kicks Off with Enthusiasm! Liu Ho-jan: Leading in Profits, New Taipei Agricultural Strength Cannot Be Underestimated

The Wugu Farmers' Association held the '42nd New Taipei City Farmers' Association Table Tennis Friendship Tournament' today (15th) at Banshipu Sports Hall, inviting active participation from all levels of farmers' associations and agricultural-related agencies and organizations across the city. The event aims to enhance mutual communication and connections through sports competition, encourage farming association staff to develop exercise habits and promote physical and mental well-being, and foster mutual learning and collective growth through skill exchange.

Zhang Guo-yan, Chairman of the Wugu Farmers' Association, stated that this year's tournament saw unprecedented registration enthusiasm. In addition to 36 teams from farmers' associations, 11 teams were formed by agricultural financial and farmer training groups, including the New Taipei City Government, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Agricultural Bank, bringing the total number of participating teams to a record high. Notably, the Hsintien District Farmers' Association was personally led by its chairman, standing supervisor, and general manager, demonstrating team cohesion and strong support for the event. The oldest participant this year is 85 years old, embodying the tournament's spirit of sportsmanship and friendship across all ages. With approximately 440 participants overall, the event was exceptionally lively. Chairman Zhang expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic participation of all associations and organizations, hoping everyone could make friends through the game, exchange experiences, and strengthen camaraderie.

Liu Ho-jan, Deputy Mayor of New Taipei City Government, stated that the city's farmers' associations achieved outstanding operational results last year (114). Among the top 10 agricultural associations nationwide in terms of surplus, six are from New Taipei City. Additionally, they won 19 awards at the 20th Agricultural Finance Awards, demonstrating the sound financial foundation of the city's farmers' associations and continuous improvement in service capacity and operational scale. Beyond excellent financial performance, the associations have long been committed to agricultural production guidance, agricultural product marketing, and brand promotion, actively promoting specialty agricultural products such as tea, pomelo, pearl onion, water bamboo shoots, the 'New Taipei Health Trio'—sweet potato, yam, and green bamboo shoots—and pumpkin.

In this year's National Quality and Safe-Certified Green Bamboo Shoot Evaluation, New Taipei City won 10 out of 15 awards, with the Sanxia District Farmers' Association claiming championships in both the organic and traceable production categories. In the 115th National Giant Pumpkin Competition, championships were also secured in the 'All-Taiwan Weight Division,' 'Creative Design Division,' and 'Delicious High-Quality Division,' fully showcasing New Taipei's agricultural production strength and the professional achievements of local farmers.

The Agriculture Bureau added that this year's tournament is co-organized by the New Taipei City Farmers' Association and the Wugu Farmers' Association, providing not only a platform for various agricultural associations and agencies to compete in table tennis skills but also an opportunity to deepen friendships and strengthen horizontal connections. Through teamwork and healthy competition, the agricultural system's cohesion will be further enhanced, jointly promoting the steady and sustainable development of New Taipei agriculture.