Taiwan: Rice is on its last mile to balance production and sales

Taiwan's unique public grain rice purchase system aims to ensure food security by buying rice at a guaranteed price to maintain a minimum stock of three months worth of rice for the nation. The purchase price has seen increases, last adjusting in 2011, with proposals for increases due to rising production costs. However, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on farmers and the incentive for them to continue rice cultivation, leading to the introduction of policies like "1 set 2 to 3 plus 3" to diversify farmers' income sources. The article also discusses the history of domestic rice policy, the challenges of overproduction, and efforts to balance production and marketing. It highlights the importance of improving the quality and market competitiveness of domestic rice through the introduction of excellent rice varieties and the establishment of professional areas for rice production and marketing. Additionally, it addresses the health perspectives on rice consumption in light of weight-loss trends, emphasizing the need for correct dietary information.