E-farmers sow seeds for business success in Taiwan

2016/04/29

The number of farmers selling produce online is set to rise in Taiwan courtesy of a Council of Agriculture training program aimed at equipping members of the agricultural sector with the skills and knowledge required for successfully conducting e-commerce businesses.

Conducted outside the planting and harvesting seasons, the courses cover key areas like Internet marketing and the e-commerce business model. Priority for enrolment is given to 855 organic and small farmers whose products are included in the COA’s Taiwan Agriculture and Food Traceability System.

The system was established in 2007 to provide full information on the origins of Taiwan’s agricultural produce, food and ingredients. It plays an important role in safeguarding the health of consumers.

Yuan Hwa-hsing, head of international marketing at the COA Department of International Affairs, said more consumers are shopping for fruit and vegetables online—a trend largely due to improved packaging, refrigeration and delivery processes.

The COA’s training program seeks to springboard off this development by connecting farmers with the market through major Taiwan e-commerce programs like GoHappy, PChome24h and Yahoo Shopping.

“The training program is a real plus for organic and small producers looking to operate outside Taiwan’s traditional system involving middlemen taking large cuts of the profits,” Yuan said. “We envisage a 10 percent rise in margins for those electing to trade electronically.

“By using the e-commerce platforms, farmers are helping promote the origins of their produce and forging emotional bonds with consumers on the road to delivering a win-win outcome for all.”

The training program is part of government efforts spurring Taiwan’s total production value selling produce via e-commerce platforms. It is anticipated this figure will rise from NT$15 billion (US$463.5 million) in 2015 to NT$25 billion by 2020, as well boosting exports of agricultural products to Asian markets through cooperating with regional e-commerce platforms.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=244191&ctNode=2194&mp=9)