The Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction (JCRR) was established by the Republic of China and United States in Nanking in 1948 as an official organization to formulate and carry out a program of reconstruction in farm areas of the ROC.
The following year, JCRR moved to Taiwan with the government to continue its work. After the termination of U.S. economic aid in 1965, JCRR was funded by the Sino-American Fund for Economic and Social Development. In 1979, JCRR was replaced by the Council for Agricultural Planning and Development (CAPD) under the Executive Yuan.
Besides carrying out their own programs, JCRR and CAPD have assisted the government in formulating national agricultural policies and plans. Today, in addition to administrative offices and executive branches, CAPD has nine technical divisions in charge of plant industry, irrigation and engineering, rural health, animal husbandry, agricultural resources and forestry, rural economic and agricultural credit, and fisheries and farm services.
In trying to increase agricultural production and promote rural development, CAPD emphasizes innovative and pioneering projects designed to achieve fundamental changes and technical improvements.
Four principles have guided JCRR and CAPD operations through out the last 30 years, as follows:
(l) It is essential that farmers feel the need for the services provided.
(2) There must be a fair distribution of the benefits derived from projects.
(3) There must be an agency to put projects into effect.
(4) There must be a feasibility study of projects before recommendations are made.
Essentially, by providing technical and financial assistance to farmers, JCRR and CAPD have been able to concentrate agricultural policies, encourage better methods of project implementation, generate a spirit of self-help among farmers and local agencies, and facilitate difficult projects.
Two major tasks in Taiwan have presented formidable obstacles for JCRR and CAPD--controlling the farm work force and implementing birth control programs. Many young people have left the countryside to seek employment and advanced education in the cities of Taiwan and abroad.
This has happened also in the U.S. and Canada, but there the result has been the accumulation of more land by fewer people. In view of the introduction of modern machinery and farming methods, this has been a desirable trend. But in Taiwan, farmland is limited, and furthermore has been divided into small plots as it is shared out with each generation. This pattern of development makes mechanization unprofitable and the picture is further complicated by speculators who buy up land for sale at a profit later as the economy expands. Since this land is used by urban and industrial developers, farmland is further reduced.
Emphasis on having male children to help out on the farm and to support parents in their old age, as well as for prestige reasons, makes it difficult to implement birth control programs.
Over the past 30 years, a thriving society has been established in the Republic of China through the concerted efforts of the people and government. JCRR and CAPD have helped the government to carry out the land reform program to push forward this development. A farm rent distribution program was implemented in 1949 to reduce the financial burden on tenant farmers. This was followed by sale of public lands in 1951, and the land-to-the-tiller program in 1953. These measures benefited farm families and gave them a strong incentive to increase production.
In the field of rural health and sanitation, JCRR and CAPD have helped to build simple water supply systems, control infectious diseases, and set up health care systems and family planning programs.
Between 1953 and 1968, four four-year economic plans were carried out under the policy of promoting industry and agriculture. During this period, agriculture, as the major sector of the economy, supplied raw materials to other sectors, and rural areas became a major market for industrial products. JCRR played an active role in the formulation and implementation of these plans. As the Minister of Economic Affairs, Chao Yao-tung, pointed out, "Economic growth depends on industry, and economic stability depends on agriculture."
The main goal of these plans was to increase production by raising land productivity. Labor-intensive farming and multiple cropping systems, because of an abundant rural labor supply, were stressed.
Technical innovations, including new varieties of crops, improved cultivation, irrigation and fertilization techniques, and more effective pest control contributed to increased yield and quality control of farm products.
Agricultural development is a never-ending process in which there will always be new situations to deal with and new problems to tackle. CAPD is prepared to take up any challenge in its effort to help meet the needs of a modern society by raising agricultural standards and output.
[Picture Caption]
1. A field stretching for as far as the eye can see. Another year, another harvest! 2. Fish--an essential part of Chinese cooking. The fishing industry is also aided by the JCRR. 3. With the increase in the standard of living, people have more time on their hands to enjoy the brighter side of life. 4. Many farmers are also fishermen in their spare time. 5. Plumper and juicier ducks.
1. An experiment to increase the milk producing capability of cows. 2. Clusters of grapes. 3. This is the result of water conservation plans and irrigation projects. The pears are the bottom are those before irrigation; the ones at top are after. 4. Neat, orderly arrayed fields. 5. Tangerines are widely grown. 6. Juicy and plump fruit--the result of modern irrigation.
1. Farmhouses are neat and clean today, and modern transportation and farm implements have replaced the oxcarts and pedicabs of former times. 2. Large, leafy vegetables. 3.4. Contrast between old and modern farmhouse kitchens. 5. Self-irrigating equipment in the fields.
1. Terracing is widely used in Taiwan. 2. Packaging of mangos. 3. The former chairman of the Council for Agriculture Planning and Development, C. T. Lee, continues to train agricultural personnel in his new capacity as president of Chunghsing University. 4. His successor at the CAPD, Chang Hsien-tsiu, thinks Taiwan can be beautified to become the "Switzerland of Asia."
Fish--an essential part of Chinese cooking. The fishing industry is also aided by the JCRR.
With the increase in the standard of living, people have more time on their hands to enjoy the brighter side of life.
Many farmers are also fishermen in their spare time.
Plumper and juicier ducks.
An experiment to increase the milk producing capability of cows.
This is the result of water conservation plans and irrigation projects. The pears are the bottom are those before irrigation; the ones at top are after.
Neat, orderly arrayed fields.
Juicy and plump fruit--the result of modern irrigation.
Juicy and plump fruit--the result of modern irrigation.
Farmhouses are neat and clean today, and modern transportation and farm implements have replaced the oxcarts and pedicabs of former times.
Contrast between old and modern farmhouse kitchens.
Contrast between old and modern farmhouse kitchens.
Self-irrigating equipment in the fields.
Terracing is widely used in Taiwan.
The former chairman of the Council for Agriculture Planning and Development, C. T. Lee, continues to train agricultural personnel in his new capacity as president of Chunghsing University.
His successor at the CAPD, Chang Hsien-tsiu, thinks Taiwan can be beautified to become the "Switzerland of Asia.".
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