1. Ministry of Agriculture Disburses First Round of Farmland Recovery Subsidies for Mataian Creek Disaster

Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture has disbursed the first round of farmland recovery subsidies to farmers affected by overflow from a landslide-dammed lake along Hualien’s Mataian Creek following typhoon damage.The payments were made on December 29 under a special reconstruction budget approved and promulgated on December 19, providing immediate relief to disaster-hit farmers. The initial batch covers 362.37 hectares of approved farmland, with subsidies set at NT$100,000 per hectare, totaling NT$36.24 million.The ministry said an additional 80 hectares are undergoing final administrative verification and will be included in the next round of payments once confirmed, under principles of simplified, expedited, and flexible review.Subsidies are intended to support debris removal, land restoration, and the return of farmland to cultivable conditions. Additional assistance measures include repairs to damaged agricultural machinery, reconstruction of greenhouse facilities, fertilizer support, and special fallow programs to help farmers resume production.

2. Distant-Water Fisheries Youth Association Elects New Chair as Industry Faces Mounting Challenges

Taiwan’s Distant-Water Fisheries Youth Association completed a leadership transition on December 29, with Chen Sung-jung taking over as chair from Lin Han-yu.　Amid challenges including resource uncertainty, tariff and fuel price fluctuations, and rising expectations on labor rights and sustainability, the association said young industry members are seeking new directions for the sector.Fisheries Agency official Wu Ming-feng said the group has helped improve compliance and promote self-governance since its establishment, while strengthening dialogue on fisheries management such as tuna and saury. Labor rights protections have also been incorporated into training programs in response to growing public scrutiny.Chen said he would act as a “helmsman,” consolidating youth voices, reflecting industry pressures to the government, and advancing the sustainable development of Taiwan’s distant-water fisheries.