Responding to the Pandemic's Impact: Yunlin Launches Revitalization Tour Forums for the Flower Industry

In response to the impact of COVID-19 on the flower industry in Yunlin County, Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan met with flower growers yesterday (the 20th) to understand the difficulties and needs farmers are facing, so as to help discuss how to assist growers through these hard times. The county government will also actively coordinate with the Council of Agriculture's 2020 "Flower Industry Revitalization Promotion Plan," hoping that through revitalization measures the domestic market can be expanded, flower consumption increased, and the public's habit of using flowers cultivated.

Magistrate Chang Li-shan pointed out that in the past, when people thought of Yunlin County's agricultural products, they mostly thought of rice, vegetables and fruit, and miscellaneous grains; in fact, the flower industry also holds an important place in Yunlin, with orchids such as Phalaenopsis, Oncidium and Chinese cymbidium, as well as Eustoma (prairie gentian), mostly aimed at export markets, with export destinations including Japan, South Korea, the mainland, Australia, Europe and the United States, creating strong results for Yunlin's agricultural output value.

Magistrate Chang Li-shan stated that flowers are mainly used for ornamental purposes rather than as daily necessities, and under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yunlin's flower industry has been hit hard, so forums were urgently launched, hoping first to hear the voices of flower farmers. In addition to helping seek freight subsidies and reductions in royalty fees from the central government, the county will also actively coordinate with the Council of Agriculture to promote the revitalization of the flower industry, facing difficulties together with farmers and discussing a way forward, so that Yunlin's flowers can make a brilliant appearance on the domestic market.

Magistrate Chang Li-shan said that with export markets hit, helping to open up the domestic market is the top priority, and she hopes everyone will buy more flowers. Whether Eustoma (prairie gentian), Phalaenopsis or Oncidium, looking at fresh flowers more often lifts the mood and boosts immunity, which helps in resisting the pandemic. In addition, the "small flower effect" will give everyone more motivation to clean up their surroundings. Whether public agencies, schools, institutions or organizations, she hopes they will display more flowers and carry out flower arrangement education, making the environment more beautiful and also promoting the development of the domestic market.