Page 119 - 2018 Annual Report Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan

Annual Report 2018 Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan 4. Strengthening Communication about Rural Policies (1) Diversified communications channels for major policies A. In order to improve citizens’ understanding and endorsement of agricultural policies, the COA prepares different media campaigns for each agricultural policy. In 2018 these included policy measures such as prevention of African swine fever, extension of eligibility for farmers’ health insurance, farmers’ occupational injury insurance, the use of “Four Certifications and One Q” local ingredients in school lunches, the ten-year plan for reducing the use of chemical fertilizers by one half, addressing the agricultural labor shortage, direct payments on farmland, the halting of vaccinations for foot-and- mouth disease, food and agricultural education, and relaxation of the rules governing special-case agricultural loans. The COA also clarified online rumors. For activities such as the Sea of Flowers in Xinshe, monthly Food Day, and the Exhibition of Premium Agricultural Products from Taiwan, we released information through such channels as Internet short videos, banner ads on Internet platforms, television advertising spots, outdoor videos, print media, and radio, as well as through the COA’s own media such as its Facebook fans page and electronic bulletin boards at farmers’ and fishermen’s association. In these ways we were able to increase citizens’ knowledge of, and active participation in, policies and activities, and better inform citizens about COA policies. B. In 2018, the COA strengthened policy exposure through diversified channels to increase the connection citizens feel with agriculture. For example, we worked with the magazine Global Views Monthly to jointly hold Taiwan’s first “Golden Village Competition,” presenting the new look of Taiwan agriculture to readers and listeners. Through live video feeds on Youtube, the Internet, and print media, the COA also revealed the activities of the “6th National Agriculture Congress” as well as the 18 local preparatory conferences and ve focused meetings that preceded the Congress, enabling citizens to join in the discussion of agricultural issues. (2) “New media” diversified communications platforms The COA provides a rich variety of agriculture-related information on its Facebook fans page and Line@ group. Besides agricultural policies, we also 117