Contact: Chen Ching-Chu, News Section
Telephone: 037-559828
Publication Date: 13:14, March 2, 2026
The Agricultural, Forestry, Fishery, and Livestock Census, conducted once every five years, will be carried out in two phases from April 10 to June 30 this year. On March 2, the Miaoli County Government officially inaugurated the Census Office while also supervising the establishment of census stations in all 18 township and city offices across the county. The census will cover more than 40,000 related businesses and operators in Miaoli. County Magistrate Chung Tung-Chin led department heads in unveiling the Census Office and called on industry operators to cooperate with the census effort so that the collected data can serve as an important reference for promoting industrial development and more precisely guiding county policy planning.
The unveiling ceremony for the Census Office was jointly presided over by Magistrate Chung, Accounting and Statistic Department Director-General Yen Hsiang-Ju, Deputy Director-General Wang Chih-Cheng, Agriculture Department Director-General Chen Shu-Yi, Deputy Director-General Tsai Cheng-Hsin, and Civil Affairs Department Director-General Wu Heng-Chao. Census stations in township and city offices will subsequently be established on March 16 and begin preparatory work. Census operations will be jointly carried out by the Accounting and Statistics Department, the Agriculture Department, the Civil Affairs Department, and township and city offices, with an estimated 460 personnel mobilized.
Accounting and Statistic Department Director-General Yen Hsiang-Ju noted that the Agricultural, Forestry, Fishery, and Livestock Census is a fundamental national census first conducted in 1956, and this year marks its 15th round. The census period will run from April 10 to June 30 and will be implemented in two phases: the first phase, from April 10 to April 30, will feature an online self-reporting period, during which respondents may complete the questionnaire using mobile devices or computers. Participants who complete the online submission will be eligible to enter a lottery, with the top prize of a NT$100,000 gift card. The second phase, from May 1 to June 30, will involve on-site visits by census personnel.
The theme of this year’s census is “Support the Agricultural Census and Revitalize Agriculture.” Yen explained that businesses engaged in crop cultivation, livestock farming, agricultural or livestock services, forestry, fishing, aquaculture, or recreational agricultural activities — as well as those that possess relevant resources meeting census criteria even if not currently operating — are included in the census scope. More than 44,000 establishments fall within this category in Miaoli County. The census will collect data on resource distribution and utilization in the agricultural, forestry, fishery, and livestock sectors, as well as production structures, workforce characteristics, equipment, and operational conditions.
Magistrate Chung stated that as Miaoli is a major agricultural county, agriculture forms the foundation of its development. The census will provide valuable data on land use, crop and aquaculture varieties, actual production volumes, and workforce distribution within these industries. Such data will serve as an important reference for policy implementation, including the planning of guidance programs, marketing initiatives, and subsidy measures. Using bamboo shoots as an example, Chung noted that insufficient harvesting over the years may have reduced both yield and quality. Encouraging appropriate harvesting practices in the future could improve both output and quality. Similarly, aquaculture strategies must be adjusted to ensure ecological sustainability and stable production.
Chung also expressed concern about the operation of aquaculture zones, emphasizing that operators should fulfill their management responsibilities. If operators are not actively engaged in aquaculture, they should consider transferring operations so that land resources can be utilized effectively. With Miaoli’s more than 50 kilometers of coastline, the county government is committed to promoting coastal development and will not allow aquaculture zones to remain idle. In addition, Chung noted that Miaoli black pork commands relatively high market prices and remains highly favored by consumers. He suggested that pig farming could be moderately expanded in the future. However, he also pointed out that feeding pigs with properly cooked food waste has long been a common practice among pig farmers. If such food waste were prohibited and instead be classified as industrial waste, the policy could pose difficulties for farmers. Chung argued that instead of the central government providing a one-year transition period, it should consider allowing the practice to continue for three to five years or longer.
Magistrate Chung called on industry operators to support the Agricultural, Forestry, Fishery, and Livestock Census so that the government can obtain key data for policy reference. By combining census results with technological and smart agricultural development, the county government will gain a clearer understanding of policy directions, formulate more precise strategies, and ultimately increase income for industry operators.
Given the rise in fraud schemes in recent years, which could complicate census operations, Director-General Yen also reminded residents that on-site census visits will follow the “Three No’s and Two Yes’” principle. The “Three No’s” refers to the fact that census personnel will not disclose personal information, will not ask questions unrelated to the census questionnaire, and will not request bank account or financial information. The “Two Yes’” mean that census personnel will wear official identification badges and will provide an official notification letter to the surveyed household or business.