TAIPEI (Taiwan News)—A Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) report submitted to the legislature on Tuesday (Oct. 22) revealed Taiwan’s wartime food plan, which includes detailed information about rice stocks and farming contingencies.

The MOA said that farmers should convert fields to sweet potatoes, soybeans, and quick-growing greens during a maritime blockade. 

If fishers cannot fish at sea, they should expand aquaculture operations with omnivorous fish cultivation. The MOA said Taiwan currently has three months of aquaculture stocks.

The MOA said it undertakes monthly calculations regarding domestic agricultural and livestock production. Such data helps the MOA make timely adjustments to ensure food security, per UDN.

By law, Taiwan is required to maintain an emergency wartime supply of at least three months of rice. Public rice warehouses are spread across 161 townships and cities in Taiwan to protect the stock from attack.

The MOA said that as of September, domestic rice stocks have exceeded the mandated minimum level, and are currently at seven months. Meanwhile, vegetable, poultry, and meat stocks can be maintained for approximately one year.

Still, several legislators pointed out that Taiwan’s food self-sufficiency rate last year was 33.3%, an 18-year low. Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) said improvements could be made as the current target for domestic food self-sufficiency was 40%.

The MOA said in the event of future food insecurity, the temporary slaughter or phase-out of livestock and poultry with low feed efficiency would be carried out. Also, aquaculture would be expanded to increase protein supply to meet the needs of the people.

In addition to the MOA report, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said it is planning additional storage facilities for oil and natural gas. It is also strengthening power grid resilience through decentralization, reinforcement, and defense.