Agriculture and Food Agency Director-General Hu Jong-i (胡忠一) has held a forum in Pingtung County with orchid producers to discuss the possible impact of US tariffs on Taiwanese phalaenopsis, or moth orchids, an important export product to the US.
The government would take three approaches to boost the industry's resilience, Hu said at the forum on Wednesday.
First, it would provide financial assistance by subsidizing interest on loans to cut costs, he said. Second, it would provide guidance in cultivation and production technology to boost competitiveness Third, it would encourage market expansion by increasing sales in the US and driving consumption in the domestic market, he said.
The government would also promote the use of moth orchids for religious ceremonies or in Matsu temples across Southeast Asia, Taiwan Orchid Breeders Society secretary-general Yang Yi-ping (楊怡萍) said.
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