The implementation of Taiwan's "Organic Agriculture Promotion Act" in May 2019 has led to remarkable growth in the country's organic farming sector. Through various initiatives by the Ministry of Agriculture’s Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA), with investments exceeding NT$6 billion, Taiwan has achieved significant expansion in sustainable farming: certified organic farming area has reached 20,304 hectares, while registered eco-friendly farming area stands at 6,708 hectares, bringing the total to 27,012 hectares in 2024—nearly double the 13,511 hectares recorded in late 2019. This achievement places Taiwan among the leaders in organic farming in Asia, with organic cultivation now representing 3.47% of the country's farmland.
Supporting Farmers in Their Transition to Organic Farming
Under its incentive and subsidy regulations for organic agriculture, the AFA has implemented comprehensive support programs to encourage farmers to adopt organic practices. Farmers transitioning to organic certification can receive subsidies of NT$60,000-80,000 per hectare for up to three years. Additionally, certified organic and eco-friendly farming areas qualify for annual ecological conservation incentives of NT$30,000 per hectare. These tiered support measures serve the dual purpose of facilitating farmers' transition to organic farming while recognizing organic agriculture's vital contribution to ecological conservation.
To accelerate organic farming adoption through regional clustering, the AFA has collaborated with local governments to establish dedicated organic agriculture promotion zones. Currently, five zones spanning 264 hectares have been established across Taichung City, Taitung County, and Yilan County, with support provided for basic public infrastructure and production and marketing facilities. Furthermore, 26 organic group cultivation areas covering 1,705 hectares serve as model sites for organic farming development across Taiwan, consisting of 15 public facilities covering 910 hectares and 11 privately-run areas covering 531 hectares.
Diversifying Marketing Initiatives to Expand Organic Product Usage
Beyond encouraging farmers to engage in organic and eco-friendly production, it's essential to increase organic ingredient usage from the consumer end to expand markets for organic products. Pursuing this strategy, the AFA has successfully integrated organic products into public institutions. Its school lunch program continues to incorporate organic ingredients in the 2024 academic year, benefiting over 1.82 million students across 3,156 schools in 22 counties and cities, with weekly usage reaching 495 metric tons. The military's food services have also embraced organic produce, purchasing 1,689 metric tons of organic vegetables in 2024, representing 14.5% of their total vegetable procurement.
Through the Agency's diverse marketing initiatives to improve consumer access to organic products, Taiwan now features:
• 243 specialized organic product counters in retail outlets
• 18 organic and eco-friendly farmers' markets
• 112 organic farm online stores
• 104 Organic Gourmet Restaurants
• 502 Green Dining Pledge establishments
• 12 corporate cafeterias transitioning to organic ingredients
The Agency has also conducted 414 organic food education events to promote understanding of proper nutrition and organic concepts among young children, students, and the general public, aiming to cultivate new generations of organic consumers.
The Organic World Congress and International Cooperation
Taiwan's commitment to organic agriculture gained international recognition as it hosted the 21st Organic World Congress (OWC) for the first time in December 2024. The event drew over 500 participants from 61 countries, with total attendance exceeding 2,000 people. The congress featured keynote speeches, workshops, bio-tours, and markets that deepened engagement and collaboration in international organic policies, technologies, and marketing.
Taiwan has also expanded its international organic trade partnerships, signing a bilateral organic equivalency arrangement with the UK in May 2024. This brings the total number of such arrangements to eight, including agreements with New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the United States, Canada, India, and Paraguay. In 2024, Taiwan exported 161 metric tons of organic products, maintaining strong trade partnerships with various countries.
Moving forward, the AFA will continue to pursue its comprehensive development strategy that promotes organic agriculture as a pathway to sustainability and food safety in Taiwan's agricultural sector, fostering harmony between producers, consumers, and the environment.
