The Taitung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station (TTDARES) of the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan held the “Special Crop Organic Cultivation Management Techniques Class” at the Sunny Country of Formosa Resort in Taimali on August 16 and 23. Over 20 farmers from indigenous villages in the region participated in the training.

At the end of the class, TTDARES Deputy-Director Chen Yu-chu stated that the indigenous villages located near the South-Link Line (Taiwan’s most southerly segment of railway connecting the east and west coasts) are promoting organic cultivation for special crops such as Taiwan quinoa, millet, roselles, and pigeon peas. This not only ensures the safety of the produce, but also establishes a separate segment in the market while guaranteeing quality. The class, which was integrated with the Indigenous Agricultural Action Class and held near where the farmers live, was quite relevant to the current state of the industry in quickly providing on-site, innovative, value-packed service to enhance growers’ organic cultivation management techniques and offer the most efficient assistance for work in the field. Such knowledge will help drive sustainable development for the agricultural industry in the South-Link Line region. Deputy-Director Chen also stated he hoped the attendees would share what they had learned at the class with other growers, and he encouraged them to continue attending similar classes so as to allow the local farming industry to further improve.