Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim visited a lingzhi mushroom farm in Jiaoxi, Yilan, and held a discussion with young farmers who have returned to their hometowns — positive news for young people hoping to start businesses and stay in rural communities.

• Lin Kuo-chang, policy adviser to the Executive Yuan, pledged on the spot to find a site in the county with convenient transport links and build a sizeable platform for showcasing, selling and exchanging farm produce.
• Young farmers said what they lack most is brand marketing, distribution channels, and a permanent space for display and sales.
• Hsiao Bi-khim said young farmers are key to rural development, and that agriculture's future depends on technology, AI and multilingual tools to break into international markets.
• The government is promoting a "NT$10 billion youth dream fund" to encourage young farmers to gain experience abroad; Japan's approach of combining agricultural processing, tourism and roadside "michi-no-eki" stations is seen as a model worth drawing on.
• Another idea for Jiaoxi is to channel hot-spring tourist crowds directly into rural areas, while linking up the historical and cultural tourism corridor of the old town.

Outlook: The next step is to take stock of suitable sites; whether construction can actually begin and whether central and local resources can be brought together will determine if this platform remains a promise or becomes a real achievement.