Despite the heavy concentration of population in Taipei, the authorities have managed to set aside two relatively large areas as vegetable gardens.
In this way, the city has reduced its dependence on supplies from central and southern Taiwan, which are often expensive and lose freshness during transportation. In the event of a typhoon, disruption to the transportation system sometimes makes vegetables more expensive than meat.
To solve this problem, the Bureau of Construction of the Taipei City Government decided to set aside two tracts of land as "special districts for vegetable growing." One is at Shehtze in Shihlin district, and the other around Chutzuhu (Bamboo Lake) in Yangmingshan district.
Covering a total land area of some 300 hectares, these two vegetable gardens are run in a systematic way with full use of mechanical aids. At present, about one fourth of the vegetables supplied to Taipei's two million residents comes from the two areas. Though still unable to reach self-sufficiency in vegetable supplies, Taipei has at least reduced its dependence on distant areas.
At present, there are some 100 farming families engaged in vegetable production, further divided into units each consisting of 15 to 20 farmers, to strengthen organization.
The Taipei City Government provides a subsidy for the farmers' associations in the two areas to buy heavy tractors and other equipment. Each family also has a small sized tractor-truck known locally as an "iron ox." These versatile machines serve either as tractors to plow the fields, or as trucks to transport seedlings, fertilizers and harvested vegetables.
The moist climate in the Bamboo Lake area eliminates the necessity for complex irrigation systems to support the vegetables. In the Shehtze area, however, the Bureau of Construction has helped the farmers to build an automatic irrigation system. Natural disasters and pests are the two biggest problems for vegetable farmers. The Shehtze area is encompassed by the Keelung and Tamsui Rivers, and the terrain is relatively low-lying. Though farmers in the area do not have to worry about water resources, they suffer frequently from the effects of floods, particularly during the typhoon season. The bureau therefore allocated NT$50 million (US$1.5 million) supplied by the Central Government to rebuild dikes along the two rivers. When an additional drainage system was installed in 1977, the farmers in the Shehtze area were completely freed from the threat of floods. In addition, a plastic cover is placed over the gardens when storms threaten the island, to reduce the damage to a minimum.
To control pests, the bureau has urged farmers to raise wasps which prey on harmful insects. Pesticides with less poisonous ingredients are provided to ensure safety for consumers, and vegetables are inspected for remains of pesticides. If the samples are found to be dangerous to health, farmers are advised to delay the harvest.
A fruit and vegetable corporation has been set up to help farmers wholesale their vegetables for a reasonable fee. The bureau is also helping farmers to set up a common sales organization to unify the process of production and sales and cut out the middleman.
A Vegetable Production Distribution Fund set up by the Central Government subsidizes each farming unit to the extent of NT$80,000 (US$2,200) a year. This foundation teaches the farmers the most up-to-date techniques and organizes seminars to help them solve their problems.
At present, income per family on these vegetable farms is about NT$10,100 (US$270) a month. With the lighter workload and increased harvest, farmers are quite satisfied with their way of life.
[Picture Caption]
The green expanse of vegetables (far left), and above, the terraced vegetable gardens around Chutzuhu (Bamboo Lake) in Yangmingshan help to improve the area's scenic beauty.
The farmers use "iron oxen" (far left), and heavy tractors (top) to plow the fields. Women at work, the automatic irrigation system and beautiful vegetable flowers create a simple but beautiful picture.
During the harvest season, farmers gather vegetables in baskets before taking them to the markets.
The green expanse of vegetables （far left）, and above, the terraced vegetable gardens around Chutzuhu （Bamboo Lake） in Yangmingshan help to improve the area's scenic beauty.
The farmers use "iron oxen" （far left）, and heavy tractors （top） to plow the fields. Women at work, the automatic irrigation system and beautiful vegetable flowers create a simple but beautiful picture.
The farmers use "iron oxen" （far left）, and heavy tractors （top） to plow the fields. Women at work, the automatic irrigation system and beautiful vegetable flowers create a simple but beautiful picture.
The farmers use "iron oxen" （far left）, and heavy tractors （top） to plow the fields. Women at work, the automatic irrigation system and beautiful vegetable flowers create a simple but beautiful picture.
The farmers use "iron oxen" （far left）, and heavy tractors （top） to plow the fields. Women at work, the automatic irrigation system and beautiful vegetable flowers create a simple but beautiful picture.
The farmers use "iron oxen" （far left）, and heavy tractors （top） to plow the fields. Women at work, the automatic irrigation system and beautiful vegetable flowers create a simple but beautiful picture.
During the harvest season, farmers gather vegetables in baskets before taking them to the markets.
During the harvest season, farmers gather vegetables in baskets before taking them to the markets.
During the harvest season, farmers gather vegetables in baskets before taking them to the markets.
During the harvest season, farmers gather vegetables in baskets before taking them to the markets.
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