Rice crop losses: Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu: do everything possible to help reduce farmers' losses

Concerned about agricultural losses from heavy rain, Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu went to Meinong District on the afternoon of yesterday (the 23rd) to inspect the current state of lodged rice. After hearing a briefing from the Kaohsiung City Agriculture Bureau, he said the city government stands with farmers, and if farmers have any difficulties they should by no means hesitate to contact the Agriculture Bureau or farmers' associations. He promised that the city government would sincerely, as quickly as possible, and with an earnest attitude and enthusiasm, work together to solve the problems currently faced. He also appealed to the Council of Agriculture, hoping that subsidy applications could be processed faster to reduce farmers' losses.

Mayor Han Kuo-yu pointed out that this wind disaster and heavy rain caused damage to more than 400 hectares, dealing a heavy blow to farmers. He stressed that the city government would do everything possible to help reduce farmers' losses. In addition, for crop losses such as corn and bananas, relevant subsidies would be studied and drafted on a case-by-case basis. He also said that the Meinong area is Kaohsiung's great granary, and whether in the yolk or white areas, everyone is one family. He once again stressed that the city government stands with farmers.

Mayor Han Kuo-yu first went to the edge of the fields to inspect the lodged rice, and reminded farmers to continue strengthening field drainage and post-rain disease prevention. He then went to the Meinong Rice Mill to understand the current situation of public grain procurement in Meinong, and thanked the farmers' association for its assistance to Meinong rice farmers.

The Kaohsiung City Agriculture Bureau reminds that applications for this disaster are being accepted until May 31, and calls on farmers in Liugui, Shanlin, Qishan and Meinong districts, if agricultural losses occur, to promptly bring their ID card, seal, farmers' association passbook and land ownership certificate or land use consent form and other relevant documents to the district office where the land is located to apply before the deadline to ensure their rights.