Production and marketing research Taiwan’s agriculture is shifting from production-based to demand-based. Thus the producers need to acquire, evaluate and use marketing information to keep up with consumers’ demands. In this connection, this lab strives to collect the primary data on production costs, marketing channels, consumer behavior, and other market factors, and conduct the analysis and interpretation of the collected data for establishing marketing information service platform, and devising marketing strategies so as to expand the market share of particular commodities. Taiwan’s floral industry has a potential competitive edge in the international market. And to monitor the major trends of the international flower trade as a reference for adjusting production planning and improving financial viability of Taiwan’s floral industry, this Division has established an open and comprehensive “International Floral Industry Information Platform” for Taiwan’s floral industry. Moreover, as part of the effort to promote the “local production for local consumption” policy, the lab is facilitating the establishment of the “carbon footprint product category rules” to set specific requirements and guidelines for developing carbon footprint declarations (labeling) for one or more product categories, and to minimize Taiwan’s ecological footprint and contribution to global warming made by producing, processing, transporting, or disposing of specific consumer products.Economic impacts assessment To cope with the rapid changes in the domestic and international market trends, and to augment the competitiveness of Taiwan’s agricultural sector, the traditional modes of production must be improved in order to enhance their operational efficiencies, and add or create product value. Nonetheless, the adoption of new operation modes entails the associated costs. To accelerate the extension and application of new operation modes, it is necessary to provide producers information and knowledge on the benefits of adopting new operation modes. And in order to improve the efficiency of agricultural operations, and enhance the competitiveness of agri-food products, this Division is establishing economic impact assessment modules to inventory the effects of adopting new varieties, new technologies or new practices.
