讀後心得

In the face of the turbulent international situation, whether our country's water and food reserves can respond to emergencies has become a focal point of concern. A report from the Ministry of Agriculture indicates that our country's food self-sufficiency rate is only 30%, reaching a new low in 18 years. With foreign media reporting that China may impose a blockade on Taiwan, Minister of Economic Affairs Guo Zhihui stated that there are countermeasures in place, but it is inconvenient to reveal specific details. Economic and livelihood issues are closely related, and both legislators and scholars have pointed out the inadequacy of food stocks and self-sufficiency rates, suggesting that efforts should be made to increase self-sufficiency and improve civilian food reserves to cope with potential crises.

In the face of changing international circumstances, if our country enters a state of emergency in the future, will our water, electricity, and food supplies be adequate? According to a report from the Ministry of Agriculture, the domestic food self-sufficiency rate is only 30%, marking the lowest record in 18 years. Recent reports from foreign media indicate that China may blockade Taiwan, making wartime supply of materials a focal point. The Minister of Economic Affairs stated that there are response measures in place but did not disclose specific details.

The Minister of Economic Affairs pointed out, "We all have countermeasures in place, but it's inconvenient to answer how long they will last." As reports about China's blockade plans increase, the issues of wartime energy and material reserves are becoming increasingly important. Five months ago, military drills by the Chinese Communist Party raised concerns about water, electricity, and food supplies.

Legislative members raised questions about responses to a blockade, and the director of the National Enterprises Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that if the new natural gas receiving station is completed on schedule, reserves could last more than 14 days. Although the Ministry of Economic Affairs assures that there will be no issues with energy, the situation regarding food self-sufficiency is not optimistic.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture's 2023 food supply and demand annual report, the food self-sufficiency rate is merely 30%, with the grain self-sufficiency rate dropping to 25.5%, and the vegetable self-sufficiency rate reaching the lowest point in nearly a decade. Legislative members pointed out that whether maintaining a 40% food self-sufficiency rate is sufficient to address wartime emergencies still requires discussion, and the Ministry of Agriculture must propose specific measures to ensure at least a 30% self-sufficiency rate.

Looking back to April 2020, domestic public grain stocks were about 860,000 tons, plus at least 1.1 million tons in private grain merchant stocks. Based on monthly consumption calculations, this supply could last for 9 to 11 months. Although the Ministry of Agriculture cannot disclose the latest stock due to national security, scholars indicate that the safe stock of rice should be maintained for at least three months. If there is a bountiful harvest that year, the stock will be relatively ample. However, apart from white rice, there are potential risks concerning imported wheat and other protein sources.

Scholars emphasize that if ports are blockaded, the supply of feed and corn will be interrupted, affecting poultry and livestock production. Therefore, in order to fend off external threats, food self-sufficiency capabilities should be strengthened, such as privately preparing at least three months’ worth of food reserves and increasing the proportion of self-produced feed to make adequate preparations.