◆《A difficult beginning》
In
2004, Lian-Fa Rice Milling Factory began contracting with peasants
to engage in tillage. At the time, most peasants were reluctant to
join. Chairman Chen Shui Sheng had to go from door to door and
deliver gifts to persuade these peasants. He said it felt like
soliciting for votes during an election. In 2005, Lian-Fa complied
with the Rice Production and Sales Special Area Program of the
Agriculture and Food Agency, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan
and officially established“Shang Shui Rice Production and Sales
Special Area.” With the collaboration of Nakashimamio Shoutenn,
Dream Beauty was cultivated. Lian-Fa became well-known and peasants
willing to join Shang Shui Rice Production and Sales Special Area
increased in number. By 2007, the farmlands in the special area had
already reached 90 hectares.
◆《Getting to know Shang Shui rice
production and sales special area》
Q:
How many farmers have joined Shang Shui Rice Production and
Sales Special Area? How many hectares of farmlands are there
in total? |
A:
We established Shang Shui Rice Production and Sales Special
Area in 2005. We are now on our third year. During the first
year, Approx. 63 hectares of farmlands joined the special
area. By the second year, this number increased to 83
hectares. This year, there are 90 hectares of farmlands. The
total number of participating peasants is 120. Currently,
the peasants are divided into 8 classes and each class is
managed by a class head. |
Q:
After peasants joined Rice Production and Sales Special
Area, rice produced can no longer be submitted as public
grain. How can Lian-Fa satisfy peasants in terms of price? |
A:
We adopt price protection and acquisition and sign contracts
with peasants to guarantee their income. Last year, the
price guarantee was NT$780 per Tai-Jin (12kg=20 Tai-Jin)
This year, the price was adjusted to NT$800. Basically, If
the market price for a particular term is higher than our
guarantee price, it is acquired at NT$30 dollars higher than
the market price [ Additional NT$30dolalrs per Tai-Jin]In
the contrary, if the market price for a particular term is
lower than the guaranteed price, we acquire from peasants at
prices much better than market prices. |
Q:
What is the advantage of price protection and acquisition? |
A:
Once peasant benefit is protected, they will be more willing
to place emphasis on quality. Quality is essential in
ensuring future competitiveness against imported rice. |
Q:
Are there limitations on farmlands joining Shang Shui Rice
Production and Sales Special Area? |
A:
To join Shang Shui Rice Protection and Sales Special Area,
farmlands must be located inside the confines of Chia-Nan
River Irrigation Zone. They also have to have access to
daily irrigation waters from Wushantou Reservoir and Zengwun
Reservoir. Farmlands irrigated by other sources cannot join.
Some farmlands obtain irrigation water sources from ground
water or Baihe Reservoir. These farmlands are not taken into
consideration because ground water quality is unstable and
Baihe Reservoir is seriously obstructed problems and water
quality is undesirable. |
Q:
What tests should be undertaken for farmlands joining Shang
Shui Rice Production and Sales Special Are? |
A:
Soil and water basically. Irrigation water is sent to
Agricultural Research & Extension Station, COA for testing
while soil is sent to Taiwan Agricultural Chemicals and
Toxic Substances Research Institute, Council of Agriculture
of Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan〔located in
Wufeng〕or National Chung Hsing University Soil Survey and
Testing Center |
Q:
Where is Shang Shui Rice Production and Sales Special Area
located? |
A:
Most Farmlands are located in the Shiang Jia Dong section
north of Houbi Town. |
Q:
Which departments have provisioned Techinical guidance? |
A:
The Agricultural Bureau of County Government, Chiayi
Agricultural Research Institute, Council of Agriculture,
Executive Yuan, Tainan Agricultural Research & Extension
Station, COA, Chiayi Branch, Food and Agriculture Agency
(South District) have all provisioned Techinical promotion
and guidance. |
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