讀後心得

In the face of an unstable international situation, whether our country’s supply of water and food is sufficient has become a focal point of concern. A report from the Ministry of Agriculture indicates that the domestic food self-sufficiency rate is only 30%, setting the lowest record in 18 years. With foreign media reporting on China's blockade plans against Taiwan, Minister of Economic Affairs Guo Zhihui stated that preparations have been made to respond, but did not reveal specific details. Experts point out that if imports are affected, food security becomes a hidden concern. Scholars suggest increasing the food self-sufficiency rate and recommend that the private sector stockpile food to guard against potential threats.

In the face of international instability, if our country enters a state of emergency in the future, will our water, electricity, and food resources be sufficient? The report from the Ministry of Agriculture last year indicated that the domestic food self-sufficiency rate is only 30%, marking a record low in 18 years. With reports from foreign media suggesting that China may blockade Taiwan, the issue of wartime supplies has once again drawn attention. The Minister of Economic Affairs stated that there are already response plans, but details cannot be disclosed.

The Minister of Economic Affairs mentioned: "We all have countermeasures, but it is inconvenient to answer how long we can hold out." Currently, the focus has shifted to energy resource reserves, especially against the backdrop of foreign media reports about China's blockade plan against Taiwan, as the military exercises around Taiwan a few months ago have also made the issues of water, electricity, and food prominent. Legislators stated that if the Chinese Communist Party enforces a blockade, energy supplies that rely on imports, if secured, can meet legal stockpiles for more than 14 days, but pressure on food supply still exists.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture's recently released 2023 food supply and demand annual report, the food self-sufficiency rate has fallen again to 30%, the lowest record in 18 years. The self-sufficiency rate for grains has also dropped to 25.5%, and the self-sufficiency rate for vegetables is at its lowest in nearly a decade. Legislators expressed that further discussion is needed on whether a 40% self-sufficiency rate can be achieved during wartime and questioned whether the Ministry of Agriculture can propose concrete solutions.

Data from April 2020 indicated that domestic public grain reserves were approximately 860,000 tons, coupled with at least 1.1 million tons in private grain trader stocks. Considering new harvests, the monthly rice consumption of 100,000 tons could theoretically sustain the population for 9 to 11 months. Although the Ministry of Agriculture is reluctant to disclose the latest stock figures, scholars pointed out that under conservative estimates, safe rice stock levels should be maintained at least for 3 months, and surpluses should follow a bountiful harvest. However, aside from rice, the domestic reliance on wheat and protein sources remains a potential concern.

Experts have stated that if ports are blockaded, imported feed, corn, and soybeans will be unable to enter, impacting poultry and livestock farming and meat supply. Therefore, increasing the food self-sufficiency rate and encouraging the private sector to voluntarily store at least 3 months of food or replacing imported feed with domestic production has become a sound strategy to fend off external threats.