"Our Department of Agriculture's two primary policy focuses under 'Leisure in Taoyuan: Organic and Sustainable' are organic farming and leisure agriculture. By integrating organic agriculture on the production side with leisure agriculture on the consumer side, we aim to promote these concepts to consumers and the general public," explained Li Pin-Ying, Officer, and Wu Bing-Xian, Assistant Contract Employee, of the Department of Agriculture, Taoyuan City Government.
In recent years, Taoyuan's agricultural sector has faced challenges such as rural population migration and aging, inadequate regulatory promotion, underdeveloped leisure agriculture organizations, and low farmland utilization rates. Taoyuan boasts 48,000 hectares of farmland with a diverse range of crops, making it highly suitable for the development of leisure agriculture. Since 2015, Taoyuan has actively promoted the designation of leisure agriculture areas, announcing its first leisure agriculture zone in 2016. These zones integrate primary agricultural production with secondary processing and tertiary product sales to create added value, enhancing farmer incomes, upgrading rural industries, and developing high-value service products aligned with the six-tier agriculture model. Additionally, the city has promoted organic farming, leveraging local specialty crops to design food and agricultural education programs. These initiatives aim to enhance public understanding and appreciation of food and agricultural education, fostering a deeper connection with sustainable agriculture.
Organic Cultivation for a Friendlier Environment
"Compared to the traditional use of chemical pesticides, which is less environmentally friendly, organic cultivation avoids chemical fertilizers and additives. However, the costs are higher, requiring more labor for weeding and pest control. To support farmers in adopting organic farming, the city government subsidizes the purchase of production machinery and materials suited for organic agriculture, such as soil conditioners and environmentally friendly biological pesticides. This assistance encourages farmers to engage in organic farming, improving the environment," shared Wu Bing-Xian, Assistant Contract Employee, Agricultural Affairs Section.
Promoting organic and eco-friendly farming is a key policy in Taoyuan. The "Safe Ingredients" initiative ensures that local organic vegetables are served three days a week and traceable produce one day a week in lunches for elementary and middle school students. Additionally, local specialty ingredients—such as lotus roots, water bamboo, chives, and sweet potatoes—are incorporated into school lunches through partnerships with local farmers' associations, achieving the goal of local production and consumption while reducing food miles. Through the promotion of organic dietary education, students become familiar with the land they grow up on. Serving organic meals in schools not only nurtures children's health but also instills critical perspectives on food, agricultural production, and environmental issues. This approach enables children to influence their families, fostering a broader understanding and appreciation of sustainable agriculture and eco-friendly lifestyles.
Recreational Agriculture for a Vibrant Taoyuan
"The goal of developing recreational agriculture is to elevate primary production and secondary processing to higher-level marketing services. This transition facilitates comprehensive agricultural transformation, addresses structural issues in rural areas, and encourages young farmers to engage in agriculture, revitalizing abandoned farmland. With the support of mentoring teams and continuous investment from the city government, we organize signature events in recreational agriculture zones to attract visitors. For instance, Guanyin District's Lotus Garden, the first recreational agriculture zone officially designated, hosts an annual Lotus Festival that draws many visitors, earning the title 'South Baihe, North Guanyin,'" explained Li Pin-Ying, Officer of the Recreational Agriculture Section.
Taoyuan City boasts 48,000 hectares of farmland, making it a major agricultural production hub for northern Taiwan, particularly for rice, vegetables, and livestock. Its favorable geographic location, ecological environment, and excellent transportation infrastructure make it ideal for developing recreational agriculture.
Taoyuan's agricultural policy centers on the sustainable development of the "Three Lives" principle—Production, Living, and Ecology. Recreational agriculture supports the transformation of traditional primary industries, increases agricultural value, boosts farmer incomes, and provides opportunities for leisure and agricultural experiences. By connecting people to rural life, recreational agriculture showcases the charm and vitality of Taoyuan's countryside.
Rural Revitalization and Sustainable Agriculture
"In implementing policy assistance measures, we often find that farmers, being deeply engaged in production activities, are unfamiliar with administrative procedures. To address this, we provide guidance through dedicated personnel from farmers' associations and business referrals, alleviating the administrative workload for farmers. Many agricultural matters also overlap with other government departments, so we help farmers coordinate and integrate across agencies. For example, agricultural processed goods must comply with the Department of Health's food safety regulations, and farmers may also apply for grants from the Hakka Affairs Council, the Department of Youth Affairs, or the Department of Indigenous Peoples depending on their demographic attributes," explained Wu Bing-Hsien, Assistant at the Agricultural Affairs Section.
No policy initiative is entirely without obstacles. "Recreational Taoyuan: Organic and Sustainable" represents a multidisciplinary integration encompassing nature, lifestyle, society, arts, and environmental issues. By implementing food and environmental education activities, the program connects agricultural education with the unique features of local rural industries, crops, and culture. This approach aims to strengthen community support networks, increase public recognition and participation in rural activities, and foster growth and revitalization in rural areas while ensuring industry continuity. Additionally, by promoting food and agricultural education through recreational agricultural zones, the program allows the public to engage directly with crops and agricultural practices through experiential activities. This hands-on approach enhances public understanding of agricultural education, spreading awareness and appreciation for food and farming across all corners, ultimately contributing to the sustainable development of rural communities.