Chen Hsi-huang (Chinese: 陳希煌; born 18 December 1935) is a Taiwanese agriculturalist who served as Minister of Agriculture from 2000 to 2002.
Chen Hsi-huang | |
|---|---|
陳希煌 | |
| Minister of the Council of Agriculture | |
| In office 20 May 2000 – 31 January 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Lin Hsiang-nung (acting) Peng Tso-kwei |
| Succeeded by | Fan Chen-tsung |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 December 1935 Taihoku, Taiwan, Empire of Japan |
| Nationality | Taiwanese |
| Alma mater | National Taiwan University University of Georgia |
| Occupation | agriculturalist |
Early life and education edit
Chen was born in Taipei (known as Taihoku under Japanese rule) and earned a bachelor's degree from National Taiwan University before obtaining a master's degree and doctorate from the University of Georgia in the United States.
Career edit
Chen worked for the Sino-American Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction, a predecessor organization to the Council of Agriculture, upon his return to Taiwan.[1] In 2000, he took office as head of the Minister of Agriculture. In this position, Chen was responsible for long-term disaster relief efforts resulting from the 1999 Jiji earthquake. He organized a disaster prevention center after a June 2000 aftershock,[2] and worked to stop mudflows from causing further damage.[3][4] Chen also ordered a six-year initiative to reduce the number of betel nut plantations in order to lessen the effects of soil erosion caused by betel nut trees.[5] During his tenure as COA leader, Chen supported the work of rural credit cooperatives geared toward farmers and fishermen,[6] and sought to lift restrictions on Chinese employees of Taiwanese fishermen.[7] After Typhoon Toraji hit Taiwan in July 2001, Nantou County legislator Tsai Huang-liang stated that Chen's policies unfairly burdened betel nut producers, making them scapegoats for erosion.[8] Chen recognized that Nantou County should be reforested to prevent future typhoon damage, but rejected a proposal to use helicopters, stating that there were more effective ways to seed the mountainous area.[9] It was reported that Chen would step down from the COA in January 2002,[10] and he was eventually succeeded by Fan Chen-tsung.
References edit
- ^ "The month in Free China". Taiwan Today. 1 May 1975. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Government responds to another jolt". Taipei Times. 12 June 2000. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ Chiu, Yu-Tzu (31 May 2000). "Barrier lakes made safer". Taipei Times. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ Chiu, Yu-Tzu (12 June 2000). "Mudslide prevention is a priority". Taipei Times. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ Chiu, Yu-Tzu (9 June 2000). "COA targets betel nut plantations". Taipei Times. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ Chou, Stanley (14 August 2001). "Minister addresses rumors". Taipei Times. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ Lin, Mei-chun (11 April 2001). "Rights asked for Chinese fishermen". Taipei Times. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ Huang, Joyce (5 August 2001). "Chen visits typhoon-torn Chiayi". Taipei Times. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ Huang, Joyce (4 August 2001). "Premier proposes reforestation". Taipei Times. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ Ko, Shu-ling (21 January 2002). "Yu Shyi-kun working on new Cabinet". Taipei Times. Retrieved 19 June 2017.