Agriculture ministry mulling parental leave for farmers

• By Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNA

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The Ministry of Agriculture is considering paid parental leave for young farmers, with Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) yesterday saying that the government hopes to introduce the benefit next year.

Chen made the remarks at the 100 Outstanding Young Farmers ceremony.

The ministry is drafting a budget and plan to give young farmers parental-leave benefits similar to those available to other workers, Chen said.

Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih, second row, sixth left, poses for a photograph with young farmers at a ceremony at the ministry in Taipei yesterday.

Photo: CNA

Taiwan’s agricultural workforce is changing, while the declining birthrate is expected to further reduce the pool of agricultural workers, he said.

Farming should be a dignified profession, and farmers should have access to welfare benefits comparable with those in other sectors, Chen said.

Most farmers do not have conventional employers and therefore cannot use the labor system’s unpaid parental-leave scheme, he said, adding that the ministry would develop a separate system for farmers.

Details such as the length of leave, subsidy amounts and payment methods are still being worked out, Chen said.

The ministry might use the minimum wage as the basis for calculating the subsidy, and be flexible over the length of leave and payment period, he said.

The scheme would require government funding, and the ministry would seek resources, Chen said.

The ministry yesterday honored 106 young farmers as agricultural role models. They have an average age of 34, while 27, or 25.5 percent, are female.

The awardees work in crop production, fisheries, livestock farming, beekeeping and specialty crops. Of the 98 winning entries, 68 were in crop production, eight in fisheries, 12 in livestock farming, four in beekeeping and six in specialty crops.

This year, the ministry added a new category recognizing young farmers who have developed local industries and contributed to their communities.

Some awardees have used technology in greenhouse farming, aquaculture, production and sales, while some have developed processed products, brands and new sales channels, the ministry said.

Others have promoted food and agricultural education, and helped develop local communities in their hometowns, it said.

Chen said the ministry would continue helping young farmers with funding, technology, marketing and welfare benefits, while working to ensure that the profession offers stable livelihoods and opportunities.